Project Lead(s): Khizr Tajammul
Issue
Solid fuel fumes emanating from open fires result in 4.3 million premature deaths each year. Women and children account for 61% of the global burden of disease that is attributable to household air pollution (HAP). Diseases caused by HAP include: lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, COPD, cataracts and respiratory infections.
In Pakistan, half the population (114 million people) lives in off-grid areas and resort to using a combination of energy solutions, including open fires.
Solution
Jaan Pakistan aimed to reduce carbon emissions and HAP by eliminating open flame cooking in rural households across Kasur, Pakistan.
The project tested the viability of a clean indigenous cookstove that reduced exposure to harmful particulate matter that could potentially cause respiratory illnesses. The project studied the health effects of the clean cookstove by measuring the carbon emissions and overall health outcomes for those who adopted the product.
Outcome
Communities responded positively to the indigenous cookstove, creating a high market demand. 822 cookstoves were sold, far exceeding the initial goal of 400 units. The clean cookstove was developed and sold for $24 USD, a fraction of the price of imported stoves that were introduced to the region.
Follow-up studies found the clean cookstove reduced people’s exposure from 1975 mg of particulate matter to just 328 mg, likely contributing to the prevention of a host of fatal respiratory illnesses across target demographics.
The clean cookstove reduced biofuel consumption by 40%, thus reducing the economic burden of purchasing fuel. Additionally, the use of cookstoves as a source of household heating in rural Pakistan could provide an added use for the product.
Jaan Pakistan is currently attempting to scale through state support and other innovation partnerships. They have sold nearly 1,500 units to date, and have conducted commercial pilots in 4 distinct geographies across Pakistan. The project hopes to sell 1 million cookstoves across off-grid Pakistan by 2025.
Jaan Pakistan was the recipient of the Expo2020 Impact Innovation Grant for $100,000 USD. They are now partnering with DeciWatts with plans to add a solar/kinetic emergency light system to their product line.