Globally, almost three billion people lack access to clean cooking. Cooking uncleanly causes

serious health and environmental impacts, disproportionately affecting the lives and

livelihoods of women and children. This causes approximately 2.5 million premature deaths

annually.

According to the Africa Energy Outlook 2019, clean cooking is still an acute problem. Only

2% access has been achieved from 2015 to 2018. 900 million people in SSA still lack access to

clean cooking. Population growth is outpacing the access rates.

In Kenya, the Ministry of Health in its health policy 2014/2030 recognizes non-

communicable diseases as an area of investment with issues that need to be addressed such

as air pollution. It has led to the formation of the climate-energy-health technical working

group. This is a trend other governments in East Africa can follow to ensure clean cooking is

not just an energy access concern but a multi-sectoral burden.

In response to this, UNMGCY SDG 7 Youth Constituency will be hosting a webinar on the

23rd of February from 1500hrs to 1630hrs EAT on zoom. This will be a platform for youth to

deliberate on the available opportunities in the clean cooking sector to increase access and

create jobs.