Societal Impact through eCooking Transition
Introduction
Societal Impact Through eCooking Transition is becoming increasingly visible in India as improved electricity access and clean energy initiatives transform household cooking practices. The adoption of electric cooking is contributing to better health, environmental sustainability, women’s empowerment, and economic development across the country.
In the recent years, India has made significant strides in providing electric power to its citizens through its improved electricity infrastructure, across the nation. The enhanced generation and distribution of electric power has impacted the life of people especially
those in rural and semi-urban areas through improved amenities. In view of the pressing concern regarding climate change, there is also a need to shift towards more sustainable form of energy like solar, wind, biofuels, or hydrogen. India is also at the forefront of the technological change with the objective to meet the energy demand for the economic development and improve the lives of people.
As part of this transformation, the government has also launched the Go Electric campaign with an aim to spread awareness on the benefits of clean & safe electric cooking in India along with e-mobility, with these positive developments, eCooking has emerged as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for the Indian households. Recognizing the importance of eCooking, it has also been integrated into Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a global environmental movement led by India. Additionally, the government’s Energy Transition Task Force proposed a viable target of 25% of households using electricity for cooking by 2030.
Health and Environmental Benefits of eCooking
The transition to eCooking has far-reaching societal impacts, and will change the way we live in, besides having potential for employment generation, better human and planet health, the welfare of children, and women’s empowerment. First and foremost, transition to clean cooking using electric energy will go a long way in protecting the health and lives of the 2.4 billion people who suffer from the health and environmental impacts of existing cooking practices.
The Societal Impact Through eCooking Transition is particularly evident in the improvement of public health outcomes and the reduction of environmental pollution associated with traditional cooking methods.
Women’s Empowerment Through eCooking
As cooking is typically a task that women engage in, the women and children especially girls are disproportionately affected by traditional cooking practices using biomass. There exists enough evidence based on studyand research that, if electricity replaces firewood or charcoal for cooking, the benefits of improved air quality, improved health, saving in cooking time, cleaner kitchen and pots, and less time on fuel collection are going to address the issues of women empowerment in our society. Broadly, it is seen that gender issues and gender norms get profoundly influenced both in short and long term from electric cooking adoption in households.
Furthermore, the Societal Impact Through eCooking Transition supports greater gender equality by reducing the burden of household cooking and fuel collection activities.
Economic Impact of the eCooking Transition
As regards the impact in economic terms, there have been many studies which show quite conclusively that stronger correlation exists between electricity use and wealth creation in rich as well as relatively poor countries Moreover, the shift towards eCooking will trigger creation of an adequate electrical distribution infrastructure, local production value chain, a skilled workforce, and after sales and service network, all of
which has the potential to enhance economic growth. Ideally, a community can benefit from energy access if it is affordable and is aware of its efficient consumption. This can be enabled by suitable tariff designs.
The Societal Impact Through eCooking Transition also contributes to local economic development through job creation, infrastructure investments, and market expansion.
Societal Impact Through eCooking Transition and Child Welfare
In the Indian context, it’s vital to consider the role of eCooking in improving child development, particularly through initiatives like Anganwadis. These centers, part of India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, play a crucial role in providing healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education for children under six
years old. In terms of children’s welfare, eCooking play a crucial role in creating a safer and healthier environment.
Traditional cooking methods often involve indoor air pollution, which poses significant health risks which can be mitigated through eCooking. Additionally, the time saved by using efficient eCooking methods allows parents to spend more quality time with their children, fostering a positive family environment. Furthermore, eCooking contributes to the conditioning and perspective building of children. Exposure to sustainable practices and innovative technologies at an early age encourages a mindset of environmental responsibility.
Building Environmental Awareness Through eCooking
Children growing up in households that prioritize eCooking witness the importance of sustainable living, thus influencing them perspectives on conservation and environmental stewardship. This conditioning not only benefits individual families but also contributes to a broader societal shift towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.
Insights from the International Energy Festival of Kerala 2023
Energy Management Centre, the State Designated Agency (SDA) of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in Kerala, along with its Knowledge Partner Modern Energy Cooking Services in India-Finovista, organized the first annual International Energy Festival of Kerala (IEFK) on February 7-9, 2023. The discussion provided great insights into the social impact and benefits of eCooking in our society.
Policy Recommendations for Accelerating eCooking Adoption
The wide-ranging discussion touched upon multiple topics like Behavioral change, eCooking appliances and their impact on ground level institutions, the demand and supply gap, safety concerns and need for policy interventions. The expertise, experience, and knowledge of our esteemed panel added significant value to the discussions and inspired the audience to join the movement towards a sustainable cooking solution.