A missed opportunity for linking health impacts of air pollution in UK and developing countries

A missed opportunity for linking health impacts of air pollution in UK and developing countries

The public in the UK and other developed countries are rightly concerned about the health impacts of air pollution, and our journalists are justified in keeping this topic on the agenda. Our media could so easily use this concern to highlight the massive impact on health, development, and the environment of energy poverty and air pollution from the continuing widespread reliance on solid fuels in the developing world, but are generally failing to do so. This topic, and the key policies and investment required to bring about a rapid, just and effective clean energy transition, need the attention and scrutiny of our best journalists, in the UK, other developed countries, and in the developing nations.

Can the IEA’s new initiative deliver clean cooking for Africa?

Can the IEA’s new initiative deliver clean cooking for Africa?

On 14 May 2024, the International Energy Agency hosted a high level Summit on Clean Cooking for Africa. This was potentially the most influential meeting ever held on a negelcted topic that is nevertheless vital for health, development, climate, gender equality, and the nevironment, for almost 1 billion of the world’s poorest people. Read here what was discussed, the concrete actions decided upon, and commentary on whether this initiative is likely to succeed in catalysing clean cooking energy across Africa by 2030.