Differential carbon footprint resulting from cooking fuels: a cross-sectional study in rural and urban setup of Kalyani Region, District Nadia, West Bengal

In the multifaceted spectrum of cooking fuel preferences, the household choices play a pivotal role in GHG emission. Hence, the present study explores the dynamics of consumption of varied cooking fuels and their corresponding carbon footprints among the Indian households. To achieve the goal, data were collected from 610 households of the Kalyani region of West Bengal using a semi-structured interview schedule. It was found that rural households emit higher CO2e (662.77 kg) annually than the urban (491.54 kg). Rural households predominantly rely on traditional-biomass (firewood/cow-dung) and transitional (kerosene) fuels while urban households use modern fuels largely, e.g. LPG and electricity. Fuel stacking behaviour was observed among the rural households. Regression analysis reveals that fuel choices and carbon footprints are impacted by a range of factors: income, standard of living, household size, education, etc. Hence, it can be inferred that cooking fuel consumption is multifactorial. To promote sustainability, future efforts should focus on the adoption of clean/green fuel, cost reduction, and raising awareness about efficient fuel use. Achieving sustainable cooking practices also requires strategies that address accessibility, affordability, poverty reduction, employment opportunities, and equitable resource access. Furthermore, harnessing solar energy for cooking/lighting may offer a promising avenue for sustainability.