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The Effects of Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves on Fuel Use, Particulate Matter, and Cooking Practices: Results from a Randomized Trial in Rural Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Theresa Beltramo
  • Garrick Blalock
  • Stephen Harrell
  • David I. Levine
  • Andrew M. Simons

Abstract

Smoky cookfires contribute to global climate change and kill approximately four million people annually. While many studies have examined the effects of fuel-efficient cookstoves, this study does so while selling stoves at market prices. After introducing a fuel-efficient cookstove, fuelwood use and household air particulates declined by 12% and by smaller percentages after adjusting for observer-induced bias, or the Hawthorne effect. These reductions were less than laboratory predictions and fell well short of World Health Organization pollution targets. Even when introducing a second stove, most households continued to use their traditional stoves for most cooking. Future research should focus on improving the usability of fuel-efficient cookstoves and/or policies that assist consumers to shift to safer fuels like gas or electricity coupled with mechanisms to disable the existing smoky cookfire.

Suggested Citation

  • Theresa Beltramo & Garrick Blalock & Stephen Harrell & David I. Levine & Andrew M. Simons, 2023. "The Effects of Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves on Fuel Use, Particulate Matter, and Cooking Practices: Results from a Randomized Trial in Rural Uganda," The Energy Journal, , vol. 44(6), pages 43-70, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:44:y:2023:i:6:p:43-70
    DOI: 10.5547/01956574.44.6.tbel
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bensch, Gunther & Peters, Jörg, 2015. "The intensive margin of technology adoption – Experimental evidence on improved cooking stoves in rural Senegal," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 44-63.
    2. Simons, Andrew M. & Beltramo, Theresa & Blalock, Garrick & Levine, David I., 2017. "Using unobtrusive sensors to measure and minimize Hawthorne effects: Evidence from cookstoves," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 68-80.
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    1. Robert Metcalfe & Sefi Roth, 2025. "Making the Invisible Visible: The Impact of Revealing Indoor Air Pollution on Behavior and Welfare," Framed Field Experiments 00819, The Field Experiments Website.
    2. Bensch, Gunther & Jeuland, Marc & Lenz, Luciane & Ndiaye, Ousmane, 2024. "A bridge to clean cooking? The cost-effectiveness of energy-efficient biomass stoves in rural Senegal," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).

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