Greenplinth Africa’s Timely Plan To Distribute 80m Cookstoves: A Response To Global Concern Over Climate Change

Greenplinth’s initiative to dis­tribute 80 million cookstoves to households across Nigeria marks an ambitious and vi­sionary step towards environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. This substantial endeavor reflects Greenplinth Africa’s commitment to addressing the pressing issues of deforestation, air pol­lution, and energy scarcity that challenge Nigeria’s growing population today. By offering these eco-friendly cookstoves, the organisation aims to significantly re­duce the reliance on traditional wood and charcoal for cooking, which contributes to severe deforestation and emits harmful smoke that affects health and the envi­ronment.

In a major step towards mitigating the effects of climate change in Nigeria, Greenplinth Africa has announced plans to distribute 80 million clean cookstoves across the country.

Against the backdrop of the fact that Nigeria has diverse environmental prob­lems such as air pollution, water pollu­tion, oil spillages, deforestation, desertifi­cation, erosion, and flooding, Greenplinth Africa’s aim to reduce the use of unsus­tainable wood fuels prevalent across the continent, where meals are cooked over open fires or rudimentary cookstoves, exposing people to harmful smoke from the burning of coal, charcoal and other products and materials linked to unsus­tainable supply chains.

It will be recalled that prior to the me­dia chat, project roadmap presentation and project flag off, themed: “A Gender Approach to Clean Cooking Access in Africa, which held in Lagos penultimate Thursday, that the federal government had given the project it nods.

In a landmark move towards sustain­able development and environmental conservation, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) in May 2024 officially endorsed the initiative aimed at addressing global climate crisis, en­vironmental challenges and improving livelihoods across the nation.

As gathered from a statement issued by Dr. Olawale Akinwumi, president and CEO of Greenplinth Africa Limited, at the time under reference, the Director General of the NCCC, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, issued a formal Letter of Endorsement (LoE) for the improved and efficient cooking energy solution for Nigeria; a programmatic Article 6.4 project.

Dr. Dahiru, who is also the Designat­ed National Authority (DNA) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Focal Point in Nigeria, averred that the project would result in greenhouse gas emission reduction and more importantly lead to sustainable forest development and job creation in Nigeria.

In a similar vein, the Special Advis­er to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Climate Change and Circular Economy, Titilayo Oshodi, in her address at the flag off event, believes the project would result in fewer hospital visits for women, longer life and reduction of carbon footprints.

She expressed optimism that it will also promote a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Africa, particularly as she stressed the need for more innovative funding solutions so that such clean cook­stoves can be even more affordable, and in her enthusiasm about the project said, “In Lagos, we see this as a chance to spur local production, create jobs and contribute to a thriving green economy.”

Emeka, a father of four from Enugu, shares his relief at the thought of transi­tioning to a cleaner alternative. “Every month, we spend a significant portion of our income on kerosene, and with prices fluctuating, it is tough. These new cook­stoves could save us money.”

For Fatima, a mother in Ogba, Lagos, and the benefit is primarily health-orient­ed. “The smoke from firewood is suffocat­ing. My children often cough, and I’m wor­ried about their lungs,” she explains. The promise of smoke-free cooking brings hope for healthier living conditions. Ad­ditionally, environmental advocates like Biodun in Lagos highlight how this ini­tiative supports broader goals. “Reducing deforestation is crucial. If we switch away from traditional biomass fuels, the impact could be monumental,” he says.

Against the backdrop of the Green­Plinth Africa’s initiative, there is no de­nying the fact that it is on the brink of transforming cooking practices across Nigeria with the distribution of its clean cookstove to 80 million households. This ambitious project, in partnership with the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), state governments, market leaders, and other stakeholders, aims to address the health and environmental challenges posed by traditional cooking methods. These conventional practices, predomi­nantly reliant on firewood and charcoal, contribute significantly to indoor air pol­lution, deforestation, and adverse health effects, particularly affecting women who spend substantial time cooking for their families.

As gathered from Akinwumi during the flag off of the project penultimate Thursday in Lagos, the clean cook stove distribution is poised to be a game-chang­er in Nigeria’s fight against deforestation and environmental degradation. His as­surance on the benefits that are inherent in the initiative upon implementation becomes clearer as using traditional cook­ing fuels such as firewood and charcoal can expose people to indoor air pollution, especially for women and children who spend more time near cooking areas, which can have serious health effects.

In fact, the distribution of clean cook­stoves is no doubt set to catalyze a shift to­ward more sustainable and healthy cook­ing habits. Without a doubt, Greenplinth Africa’s initiative represents a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerian households, offering a cleaner, more efficient alterna­tive that reduces smoke emissions and conserves energy. As these modern stoves find their way into Nigerian homes, they promise not only to improve indoor air quality but also to alleviate the workload of women by offering more efficient cook­ing solutions. In fact, it is emblematic of a broader paradigm shift towards cleaner, more sustainable, and equitable cooking solutions throughout Africa.

As gathered, the initiative is targeted at reducing carbon emissions by 800 million tonnes, 80 percent reduction in fuel reduc­tion and empowering Nigerian women. In a similar vein, by extending access to clean cooking solutions to over 9,000 women throughout Nigeria, the initiative would not only enhanced their quality of life but also contributed to a healthier and more sustainable environment.

Additionally, by reducing dependence on wood and charcoal, this project aligns with broader environmental goals of reducing deforestation and carbon foot­prints. As the project rolls out, it is antic­ipated that more Nigerian women will champion these healthier and environ­mentally-friendly cooking practices, lead­ing to long-term benefits for communities and the nation at large.

As the world gathers for the United Nations Climate Change Summit, global leaders are focused on tackling the envi­ronmental challenges that continue to threaten our planet. Against this back­drop, Greenplinth Africa’s ambitious plan to distribute 80 million clean cookstoves to households across Africa comes at a crucial moment. This initiative is not only timely but essential in addressing some of the continent’s most pressing issues, climate change, deforestation, and energy poverty.

The world is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis, with rising global temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and increased natural disasters directly linked to human activities. Deforestation, in particular, plays a significant role in this problem. In Africa, a continent heav­ily reliant on firewood and charcoal for cooking, vast swathes of forest are being depleted to meet the daily energy needs of millions of households. According to the United Nations, nearly 600 million Afri­cans still rely on traditional biomass for cooking. This reliance on open-fire cook­ing not only contributes to deforestation but also exacerbates carbon emissions and air pollution, worsening the climate crisis.

In fact, Greenplinth Africa’s initiative to provide 80 million clean cookstoves di­rectly addresses these environmental and health concerns. Clean cookstoves are de­signed to use less firewood or alternative energy sources, significantly reducing household carbon emissions. By using less fuel, these stoves also alleviate the pressure on Africa’s forests, slowing the rate of deforestation.

Furthermore, these stoves produce less smoke, which is a major cause of re­spiratory diseases in communities that rely on open fires. According to the World Health Organisation, exposure to smoke from traditional cookstoves is responsible for over 4 million premature deaths each year, making it one of the leading causes of mortality in low-income countries. Greenplinth Africa’s intervention, there­fore, has the potential to save lives and im­prove the health of millions of Africans.

The global community is more focused than ever on reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. At the UN Summit, leaders are expected to dis­cuss policies and frameworks to mitigate the damage already caused by decades of environmental neglect. Greenplinth Africa’s cookstove distribution aligns perfectly with these global efforts. By cutting down on carbon emissions from households, the initiative supports inter­national climate goals such as those set by the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 2°C.

Additionally, the distribution of clean cookstoves is in line with the United Na­tions Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, which calls for affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. The initiative also ties into SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 15 (life on land), as it addresses both climate change mitigation and the protection of ecosystems.

Beyond the environmental benefits, Greenplinth Africa’s initiative will help to reduce energy poverty by providing households with an affordable and sus­tainable energy solution. In many parts of Africa, access to clean energy is limited, and families spend a significant portion of their income on fuel. By distributing clean cookstoves, Greenplinth is offering a cost-effective alternative that will ease the financial burden on these families while also improving their quality of life.

As the UN Summit progresses, the importance of climate action and sus­tainable energy solutions will dominate discussions. Greenplinth Africa’s plan to distribute 80 million cookstoves could not have come at a more appropriate time. With deforestation, carbon emis­sions, and public health concerns at the forefront of global issues, this initiative addresses multiple challenges in one stroke. It serves as a powerful example of how Africa can take proactive steps toward a greener and more sustainable future while empowering households and saving lives in the process.

Ostensibly impressed with Green­plinth Africa’s project, Mr. Ike Mazeil, a climate change enthusiast said, “The global community should take note of this significant effort by Greenplinth Africa and support initiatives that focus on clean energy solutions, particularly for the developing world. As climate change continues to threaten the planet, every step toward sustainability counts. Greenplinth’s 80 million cookstoves rep­resent not just a solution for today, but a vision for a cleaner and healthier future for Africa and beyond.”