Around 2.1 billion people around the world still rely on polluting fuels such as firewood, charcoal, animal dung, crop waste, coal and kerosene, for daily cooking, and 666 million still don't have access to electricity (ESMAP 2025a). Despite global commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”), current trajectories suggest that 1.7 to 1.8 billion people will still lack access to clean cooking by 2030 (ESMAP, 2025b). Household energy is also a gender-equity issue. Women and girls are most often responsible for fuel collection and cooking, and as such are disproportionately exposed to harmful smoke from polluting stoves. The burden of collecting fuelwood can take hours each day, reducing time for schooling, income-generating activities, and community participation. The continued use of polluting cooking fuels not only poses a major public-health crisis but also undermines climate, energy, and social equity goals. 50% 50% Household energy accounts for nearly 50% of global anthropogenic black carbon emissions, making the sector one of the world’s largest single sources of black carbon (CEDS, 2021). 20% 20% Household energy is responsible for 20% of global PM2.5 exposure (Chowdhury et al., 2023). 3.2 million 3.2 million The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that household air pollution leads to approximately 3.2 million premature deaths each year, including over 237,000 deaths of children under five years old (WHO, 2024). 50% 50% About half of global wood harvested for energy is used for cooking, and in Africa the share is closer to 90% (FAO, 2024). Unsustainable fuelwood demand drives deforestation and forest degradation, diminishing biodiversity and natural carbon sinks. Solutions and multiple benefits Solutions to reduce emissions from the household energy sector are available using existing technology, but require systemic investment to extend access to stable and affordable electricity access and appliances. It is estimated that a mere $8 billion per year would be needed to convert all household energy usage to cleaner burning fuels by 2030. While initial investment is required, transitioning to clean household energy is a high-impact intervention that can significantly reduce health burdens, slow near-term warming, protect forests, enhance gender equality, and strengthen economies. AQMx Sectoral Guidance: Expanding Access to E-CookingThe AQMx Sectoral Guidance provides practical, action-oriented instructions for implementing proven policies and measures that reduce air pollutants and short-lived climate pollutants. Each guidance package breaks down what to do, how to do it, and what capacities are needed at national and local levels to deliver results. It brings together the best available knowledge from partner organizations—including data, tools, models, and technical resources—into a single, easy-to-use reference point. This one-stop-shop approach helps governments avoid duplication and quickly identify solutions that work.The guidance is designed to meet the needs of air quality managers, national and local authorities, and sectoral agencies working to cut pollution while supporting development goals. It responds directly to common implementation barriers, offering clear steps, practical examples, and links to further support.