Household energy

Around 2.4 billion people use biomass fuels - wood, charcoal and animal dung - for their domestic energy needs. These are typically burned in inefficient stoves or on open fires, with serious consequences for health and the environment. SEI identifies and designs actions to help households transition to cleaner technologies and energy sources.

Partnership forum for integrated action on air pollution and climate change in Africa

Past event / Forum will create awareness, partnerships and develop a road map for implementing the 37 measures across transport, residential, energy, agriculture and waste

16 February 2023 / About Household energy, Pollution, Short lived climate pollutants and Sustainable Development Goals

Side view of man sitting next to wood-burning stove in hut

Scaling up gas and electric cooking in low- and middle-income countries: climate threat or mitigation strategy with co-benefits?

Journal article / A novel analysis shows the global climate and health benefits of switching biomass cookstoves in low- and middle-income countries to electricity and LPG.

14 February 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Climate policy, Energy access, Food and agriculture, Fossil fuels, Household energy, Land use, Mitigation, Pollution, Public policy, Short lived climate pollutants, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable lifestyles and Wellbeing

A tea kettle rests upon a stone bordering a wood-fired pit.

Novel research shows health, climate benefits of increasing access to electricity and gas for cooking in low- and middle-income countries

Press release / Expanding the use of LPG and/or grid electricity to replace biomass-fueled cooking in low- and middle-income countries benefits human health and climate.

15 February 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Climate policy, Energy access, Food and agriculture, Fossil fuels, Household energy, Land use, Mitigation, Pollution, Public policy, Short lived climate pollutants, Sustainable Development Goals and Wellbeing

New research on the benefits of cleaner cooking: Q&A with Rob Bailis

Feature / SEI's Rob Bailis led research for a journal article featuring the first known analysis of the health and climate consequences of large-scale fuel transitions.

7 February 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Climate policy, Energy access, Fossil fuels, Household energy, Land use, Mitigation, Pollution, Public policy, Short lived climate pollutants, Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable lifestyles and Wellbeing

Power plant in Denmark emits pollutants against a pink and blue twilight sky.

SEI’s Jindan Gong talks flipping energy crises into energy transitions on podcast

Media coverage / Russia's invasion of Ukraine plunged Europe into an energy crisis. But it provides a chance to spark the green economy, Jindan Gong tells Podcast and Business.

3 February 2023 / About Behaviour and choice, Business, Climate policy, Disaster risk, Energy access, Fossil fuels, Geopolitics, Household energy, Mitigation, Public policy, Renewables and Sustainable lifestyles

Snow-covered natural gas pipelines stretch across a white snowscape.

Tackling the energy crisis: six lessons from past crises

Perspective / Russia has caused an energy crisis for Europe. SEI Research Associate Jindan Gong says this opens the door to a green energy transition across the EU.

21 December 2022 / About Climate policy, Energy access, Fossil fuels, Geopolitics, Household energy, Mitigation, Public policy, Renewables and Sustainable lifestyles

The cost-of-living crisis: accelerating or delaying a green transition?

Perspective / This perspective examines the implications of the global cost-of-living crisis and whether surging prices will speed up or delay a green energy transition.

20 December 2022 / About Business, Finance, Food and agriculture, Fossil fuels, Geopolitics, Household energy, Innovation, Public policy, Renewables and Supply chains

Two white wind turbines set in Greek mountains overlook a body of water.

Renewable energy targets in 2022: A guide to design

Other publication / This report by the International Renewable Energy Agency gives an update of the latest climate commitments on renewable energy targets.

14 November 2022 / About Climate policy, Energy access, Fossil fuels, Household energy, Mitigation, Pollution, Public policy and Renewables

Five principles for Indonesia’s just coal transition

Perspective / As Indonesia promises a zero-carbon economy by 2060, SEI suggests 5 principles essential for implementation in policy for Indonesia’s just coal transition.

14 December 2022 / About Household energy