In poor rural areas, people cook on wood or coal fires.But these fires are extremely inefficient; less than 10% of theirenergy actually heats the food. Various organizations nowoffer inexpensive small cookstoves, often in terracotta, whichimprove combustion and cooking – and require 20% less fuel.
In Cambodia, GERES (Groupe Energies Renouvelables, Environnementet Solidarités) has sold more than two millionimproved stoves at a very low price.
By reducing the use of coal and wood, these stoves improveinterior air quality and enable Cambodians to save moneyon fuel. They also help in the fight against deforestation.
For the period 2003 to 2012, these improved stoves savedthe emission of 1.5 million tons of CO2 in the country.This type of stove is now used throughout the world.