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Fuel savings are in the bag : can heat retention bags reduce charcoal use in the DRC?

Author

Listed:
  • Collart, Lara
  • Desbureaux, Sébastien
  • Stoop, Nik
  • Verpoorten, Marijke
  • Kabakaba, Christelle

Abstract

This paper presents evidence from a field study in the Democratic Republic of Congo showing that low-cost heat‑retention bags can reduce household charcoal use and spending by about 40%, offering a highly cost-effective clean cooking solution with adoption shaped by households' ability to plan meals.

Suggested Citation

  • Collart, Lara & Desbureaux, Sébastien & Stoop, Nik & Verpoorten, Marijke & Kabakaba, Christelle, 2026. "Fuel savings are in the bag : can heat retention bags reduce charcoal use in the DRC?," IOB Working Papers 2026.03, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    • Handle: RePEc:iob:wpaper:2026.03
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rema Hanna & Esther Duflo & Michael Greenstone, 2016. "Up in Smoke: The Influence of Household Behavior on the Long-Run Impact of Improved Cooking Stoves," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 8(1), pages 80-114, February.
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    3. Sesan, Temilade & Raman, Sujatha & Clifford, Mike & Forbes, Ian, 2013. "Corporate-Led Sustainable Development and Energy Poverty Alleviation at the Bottom of the Pyramid: The Case of the CleanCook in Nigeria," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 137-146.
    4. Anjali P Verma & Imelda Graduate, 2023. "Clean Energy Access: Gender Disparity, Health and Labour Supply," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 133(650), pages 845-871.
    5. Luoga, E. J. & Witkowski, E. T. F. & Balkwill, K., 2000. "Economics of charcoal production in miombo woodlands of eastern Tanzania: some hidden costs associated with commercialization of the resources," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 243-257, November.
    6. 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.
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