The women are taking the Injera-flatbreads from the hot plate with their bare hands.
The Tikikil stove can be used for preparing sauces or for roasting coffee.
A typical house in rural Ethiopia is built of wood trunks and the gaps are sealed with clay.
Until now in rural Ethiopia open fires were usually used for cooking.
In the morning smoke often hangs in the air over the city, caused by the preparation of the breakfast on open fires.
Firewood can be bought at the market.
We have the efficient stoves produced in workshops in Ethiopia.
Injera are being backed on the efficient Mirt-Stove.

Summary

Total savings :43,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year
Technology transfer :Efficient cookstoves: Mirt stoves (traditional injera baking) and Tikikil stoves (portable household stove)
Local environment :Reduction in indoor air pollution and deforestation
Further advantages :Decrease in deforestation leads to decrease in soil erosion, protection of water resources and biodiversity Less expenses for household energy, time saving
Project partners :World Food Programme Ethiopia

Enhancing food security and livelihoods

Traditional cooking methods such as the three-stone-fire have contributed directly to Ethiopia’s high rates of deforestation and endangerment of its unique biodiversity. At the same time, they have negatively impacted the quality of life of Ethiopians. Respiratory diseases derive from high levels of smoke, collecting fuelwood is time-consuming and buying it is expensive.

To address this pressing situation and break through the vicious circle of fuelwood-dependence, low quality of life and ecosystem degradation, “Fuel Efficient Stoves for Ethiopia” was launched. Through this voluntary energy efficiency initiative, those harmful cooking methods are being replaced with efficient cookstoves. Approximately 200,000 improved cookstoves have been delivered at highly subsidized prices to households and schools in the regions of Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and State of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNPR), as well as to refugee camps in Gambela, Benishangul and Afar. Needing just 50% of the wood, the new stoves halve the money spent on it, reduce the time for collecting it and reduce deforestation, all at the same time. On top of that, a more efficient combustion serves to keep the air clean for the respiratory systems of household members and for a healthy global atmosphere.

Nevertheless, fuel efficiency and a cleaner operation were not the only parameters to develop these cookstoves. In fact, it has been fundamental to maintain and protect the culinary traditions of the beneficiaries. Hence, two different models were designed and produced locally. The first is the Mirt stove, on which the traditional flatbread injera can be cooked. Users can also purchase an accessory that allows for the preparation of sauces. As a highlight of this traditional but innovative model, the Environmental Impact Assessment revealed that with the use of the Mirt stove, harmful substances like CO are decreased by up to 92%. The second model is called Tikikil and is a portable stove on which the rest of the cooking needs can be covered. The first monitoring reports showed a product acceptance of more than 97%.

Climate benefits are also an integral part of this project, because the high energy efficiency of the new cookstoves leads to far less CO₂ emissions. The expected yearly emission reduction is equivalent to the yearly emissions of around 21,548 middle size cars or 3,747 West Europeans. These emission reductions are certified under the Clean Development Mechanism (as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC) and the Gold Standard, which especially verifies the social and environmental benefits. Through the sale of these carbon credits, the initiative can be further supported.

Our Partners

The Fuel Efficient Stoves for Ethiopia programme started in 2014 as a voluntary initiative by the World Food Programme Ethiopia (WFP). It supports the Government’s Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy and the Fuel Wood-Efficient Stoves Investment Plan 2012-2015. Therefore, WFP collaborates closely with both regional governments and relevant national ministries, such as the Ministry of Water and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, as well as key stakeholders such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

This initiative also aligns with and complements the work of WFP in projects such as MERET (i.e. Managing Environmental Resources to Enable Transitions), the Refugee Programme and the School Meals Programme. Through each of them, WFP has reinforced the importance of creating synergies with natural resource management, protection, and education activities to better support vulnerable populations. In this case, WFP not only focuses on the food supply but also on its healthy, safe and environmentally friendly preparation process.

atmosfair served as WFP’s consultant from the early planning phase in 2011 up to 2018. End of 2018, atmosfair joined the “Fuel Efficient Stoves for Ethiopia” programme as an official partner.

Your contact at atmosfair

Dr. Katrin Mikolajewski
Deputy Team Leader Certified Projects
Dipl. Geographer
+49 (0) 30 120 84 80 - 61