Kitchens Without Borders:
The Sashroyi Chula
Indoor Air Pollution Solutions for the Marginalized of Bangladesh
The Sashroyi Chula program works with marginalized communities in Bangladesh, including those in refugee camps, host communities surrounding these camps, and other areas of indigenous, far-flung tribal regions. The improved cookstove, designed by a consortium of climate technology experts, is portable, properly insulated, and features effective airflow, which helps reduce firewood usage, improves biomass combustion efficiency, and ensures a healthier cooking solution in these settlements of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh
Project Location: Kishoreganj, Molobibazar, Habiganj, Netrokona, Sylhet, Sunamganj, Brahmanbaria; Bangladesh
Methodology: Technologies & Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption
Standard: Gold Standard
Cookstoves Deployed: 200,984
People Participating: 900,000+
Average Household Savings: ~$85/year
Jobs Generated: 300 people employed
Moving Beyond Carbon Emission Reductions
Women in settlements face the brunt of small, enclosed spaces for cooking and are often susceptible to health risks such as respiratory ailments. The girl child in the family is often exposed to similar health risks. This program aims to work with healthy cooking and integrate these marginalized settlement communities into enhanced energy access. These settlements are often in biodiversity rich areas, and fuel wood use is the primary driver for degradation in these ecosystems. Furthermore, the manufacturing unit established in Tangail, which produces the cookstove, has employed local individuals, contributing to the overall development of the district, improving the well-being of these villages.
Over 200,000 improved cookstoves have been distributed in these settlements, resulting in nearly 50% less fuelwood use. This reduction directly enhances household savings for at least half of the households that need to buy firewood. Additionally, the establishment of local stove production units has created job opportunities for over 350 community members, with a significant share occupied by women. The health benefits of using these cookstoves also increase women’s chances of participating in the workforce, while healthier girl children benefit from improved educational opportunities.
The shift to better cookstoves means that users eliminate smoke and particulate matter release by almost 100%, leading to much cleaner indoor air and healthier respiration, an important issue for smaller enclosed cooking spaces.
The shift to this improved cooking device results in significant time saving on the collection of firewood for almost half the households of this program. This resultant time saving is of significant economic value for these women. The allied health benefits also help in enabling women in joining the work force of Bangladesh.
The functionality of the improved cookstove has a direct bearing on access to clean energy for the participating families. It is an important steppingstone for greater energy access in the future including rural electrification devices.
Each Sashroyi Chula stove saves approximately 1.9 tCO2e annually, contributing to significant climate change mitigation with total reductions of around 300,000 to 400,000 tCO2e annually—a prime example of climate action at scale. Furthermore, reduced firewood collection alleviates pressure on forest ecosystems, promoting healthier forests that support biodiversity regeneration and ecological conservation.
Significant Fuel Savings and Employment Generation
Over 200,000 improved cookstoves have been distributed in these settlements, resulting in nearly 50% less fuelwood use. This reduction directly enhances household savings for at least half of the households that need to buy firewood. Additionally, the establishment of local stove production units has created job opportunities for over 350 community members, with a significant share occupied by women. The health benefits of using these cookstoves also increase women’s chances of participating in the workforce, while healthier girl children benefit from improved educational opportunities.
Cleaner Indoor Air
The shift to better cookstoves means that users eliminate smoke and particulate matter release by almost 100%, leading to much cleaner indoor air and healthier respiration, an important issue for smaller enclosed cooking spaces.
Time Saving and Health Positive
The shift to this improved cooking device results in significant time saving on the collection of firewood for almost half the households of this program. This resultant time saving is of significant economic value for these women. The allied health benefits also help in enabling women in joining the work force of Bangladesh.
Access to Cleaner Cooking
The functionality of the improved cookstove has a direct bearing on access to clean energy for the participating families. It is an important steppingstone for greater energy access in the future including rural electrification devices.
Cost effective CO2e Savings
Each Sashroyi Chula stove saves approximately 1.9 tCO2e annually, contributing to significant climate change mitigation with total reductions of around 300,000 to 400,000 tCO2e annually—a prime example of climate action at scale. Furthermore, reduced firewood collection alleviates pressure on forest ecosystems, promoting healthier forests that support biodiversity regeneration and ecological conservation.
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