A technology-specific methodology for evaluating the GHG mitigation potential of advanced improved cookstoves

Though improved cookstove development has been driven primarily by the health benefits associated with reduced emissions, there is growing recognition of corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits. The goal of this study is to investigate the trade-off between stove cost and GHG emissions savings by performing a cost-benefit analysis along an improved cookstove technology gradient, evaluating the stove's ability to lower net GHG emissions associated with household cooking. Preliminary results suggest a near-constant abatement cost across the considered IC designs, with a low cost relative to other GHG abatement technologies. Sensitivity analysis around site-specific factors such as the fraction of nonrenewable biomass and biochar yield is also conducted and found to significantly impact the overall abatement cost of each design but not their ordinal ranking. This methodology has potential value for cookstove designers, disseminators, and policymakers.