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 now offer inexpensive small cookstoves, often in terracotta, which improve 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 improve interior air quality and enable Cambodians to save money on fuel. They also help in the fight against deforestation.
For the period 2003 to 2012, these improved stoves saved the emission of 1.5 million tons of CO2 in the country.This type of stove is now used throughout the world.