Unbelievable but true: improved cookstoves are not helpful in reducing firewood demand in Nepal

Type Journal Article - Environment and Development Economics
Title Unbelievable but true: improved cookstoves are not helpful in reducing firewood demand in Nepal
Author(s)
Volume 16
Issue 01
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 1-23
URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1355770X10000409
Abstract
This paper analyzes the effect of different types of cookstoves on firewood demand at the household level. Using nationally representative household survey data from Nepal, we find that stove type significantly affects the firewood demand for household uses. Traditional mud-stove user households seem to use less firewood than the open-fire stove users. Surprisingly, households with the so-called stoves seem to use more firewood than the households with mud stoves. Thus, converting traditional open-fire stoves to mud stoves may be a better conservation strategy in the short term rather than installing improved stoves, unless the technology improves. However, in the long run, making cleaner fuel more accessible to rural households is desirable to reduce indoor air pollution.

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