More people need access to cleaner fuel: Energy advisor

Prime Minister's Energy Advisor Dr. Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury Tuesday said the government is pledge-bound to reduce carbon emissions associated with inefficient cooking practices.
"We are committed to ensuring better cooking experience for the ordinary people as more people now need access to improved cook stoves and cleaner fuels," said the energy adviser.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the Second Annual Market Facilitation Platform for improved cookstoves in Bangladesh at Bangabandu International Conference Centre in the city
Catalyzing Clean Energy in Bangladesh (CCEB), a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in cooperation with Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GACC), organised the event.
The advisor said the government will provide all necessary assistance to encourage families to switch to cleaner, more efficient fuels and technologies.
"The plan could be implemented successfully by taking shorter targets," he said.
More than 200 entrepreneurs, donors, government stakeholders, and NGO officials from four continents convened to discuss strategies to accelerate cookstoves market development, create employment opportunities through stove manufacture and distribution, and improve health outcomes for women and children.
USAID Mission Director Janina Jaruzelski reiterated the U.S. Government's commitment to working with the Government of Bangladesh and other partners to promote the use of more fuel-efficient and cookstoves that produce less harmful emissions, are more energy-efficient, and do not pose health hazards.
Additional Secretary of Power Division Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus also present as special guests at the programme.
USAID's Catalyzing Clean Energy in Bangladesh (CCEB) is a five-year project involving US$15 million.
CCEB will help Bangladesh to develop markets for clean cook-stoves, promote industrial energy efficiency and create a regulatory environment for clean energy development. In the last year the project has sown the seeds for a dynamic market for improved cook stoves by supporting local entrepreneurs, building the capacity of financial institutions, analyzing market dynamics, and linking foreign manufacturers with financers, NGOs, and distributors.
USAID is a founding partner of the GACC and is working closely with the Alliance and other U.S. Government partners to collectively disseminate 100 million clean Cookstoves worldwide by 2020.

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