The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves operates under the support of the United Nations Foundation. The GA works to improve health and environmental outcomes by championing changes to cooking methods and more efficient stoves. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves seeks to lay out steps to deliver 100 million clean cookstoves by 2020. Additiionally, it is providing a roadmap that aims to change the lives of 3 billion people around the world with the rollout of cleaner stoves so there will be less pollution and a reduction in indoor air pollution.

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves strategic business plan, Igniting Change: A Strategy for Universal Adoption of Clean Cookstoves and Fuels, has prioritized a range of activities to strengthen markets, including attracting social investment, making it easier and cheaper for cook stove enterprises to access carbon finance and driving technological innovation. Late in 2012, the Alliance nominated six countries as priority targets for engagement in Phase I of the plan.

The priority countries are:

  • Bangladesh
  • China
  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Uganda

The Alliance has commissioned assessments of the cook stove and fuel markets in 18 countries as part of its commitment to developing a robust global market for cook stoves and fuels. The assessments aim to provide a high level snapshot of the sector in these countries. The information is used alongside research papers, surveys and other information to enhance cook stove knowledge. This aids the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to prioritize work in countries and regions.

According to the Alliance, there are four million premature deaths every year due to smoke exposure from cooking stoves. Predominantly women and children are the most at risk. The GA sees active partner engagement as critical to a successful action plan. They work with a wide range of organisations to ensure adoption and uptake of clean cook stoves. On the GA for Clean Cookstoves Donor page you can donate at a National, Corporate, Foundation or Individual level.