Myanmar Stoves Campaign – Myanmar

The Myanmar Stoves Campaign aims to replace inefficient three-stone fire cooking with fuel-efficient stoves. Stoves for Myanmar allows local venders to sell imported, high-quality efficient cook stoves via a save-to-own model, developing a market-based approach to diffusion of energy products and services to the poorest segments of society.

Fast facts:

2 vendor training workshops held; 26 vendors trained and certified ;
1,341 cook stoves sold;
Each stove is expected to save 4.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per household per year;
20 villages and 6,000 beneficiaries reached.

The problem

Most families in rural communities in Myanmar burn wood over a three-stone hearth for cooking. As a result, Myanmar has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. In addition, harmful pollution from cooking on open fires causes premature death, especially among women and children.

Most cook stove distribution programs have failed in the past in Myanmar, as the stoves were given away for free, leaving no incentive to develop a supply chain and market for these products. A lack of skills and quality standards is another barrier – locally produced cook stoves tend to break easily, and are not efficient enough.

The solution

The Myanmar Stoves Campaign replaces the use of three-stone open fires with modern, fuel-efficient cook stoves. The new Envirofit M5000 stove reduces resource use and greenhouse gas emissions. By introducing a save-to-own model, families are able to purchase their new cook stove over a period of less than six months. Households are also offered a two-week trial period during which they become convinced of the benefits of the product.

Vendors are empowered to train other vendors. The vendor manual and starter kit allows quick recruitment of people who can replicate the sales process. Local vendors market the stoves, collect orders, sign sales contracts, make follow-up visits, collect installment payments, and contribute to the project impact monitoring, reporting, and verification process.

Helping the planet

Preventing tree-cutting in the dry zone at the heart of Myanmar will allow the ecosystem to rejuvenate, preventing a cycle of environmental degradation and desertification, and assuring existence of resources for future use. The stoves burn cleaner, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing deforestation also averts further climate change.

Helping people

By using the new cook stoves, families save money and time. Using the stove reduces respiratory diseases caused by household air pollution. Energy access is increased, while vendors have the opportunity to make stove sales a viable job.

Scaling up

The work has already influenced policy-makers and key national governmental staff; as a result of dialogue, the project achieved an import tax exemption for the efficient cook stove in Myanmar. Credit and mobile payments could be tapped to help scale sales – discussions are already being held with a Myanmar mobile payment provider, as well as several microfinance institutions. Furthermore, expanding into more affluent peri-urban areas could allow for rapid growth.

The payment structure may be suitable for other regions and countries. Sharing successes and lessons learned through annual reports could encourage more organizations to replicate the model.