Nigeria urged to scale up clean cooking initiatives to meet climate targets

The African Group of Negotiators Experts Support (AGNES) is pressing Nigeria to accelerate its clean cooking initiatives, highlighting the critical role of electric cooking in improving public health, cutting emissions, and achieving climate targets. David Awolala, AGNES Nigeria Country Director, emphasized this need during a project kickoff workshop in Abuja.

AGNES, a continental think tank focused on climate science and policy, supports African governments in climate negotiations and action. Awolala stated that while Nigeria has progressed in climate action, it must now prioritize large-scale implementation over policy commitments. "The scale of the clean cooking challenge requires accelerated implementation, stronger coordination, and increased investment," he said, stressing the need to translate discussions into programs and financing that reach households.

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The scale of the clean cooking challenge requires accelerated implementation, stronger coordination, and increased investment. It requires that clean cooking solutions are not only discussed in policy terms, but are translated into programmes, projects, and financing instruments that can reach households and communities at scale.

Millions of Nigerians still rely on polluting fuels like fuelwood and kerosene, leading to severe health risks and environmental damage. Awolala noted that women and children bear the brunt of this burden, facing long hours collecting fuel and exposure to harmful indoor air pollution. This situation hinders productivity, education, and economic opportunities while contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Awolala urged a shift in perspective, viewing clean cooking not just as a household energy issue but as a national development priority with implications for environment, health, energy, gender, finance, and climate sectors. AGNES advocates for translating policy into tangible projects and investments to effectively address the challenge.

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These challenges affect productivity, education, health, and economic opportunity. They also contribute to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and short-lived climate pollutants.