IRENA Report Reveals Major Funding Gap In Global Clean Cooking Access – IRENA Report

A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency has highlighted a serious gap in financial support for clean cooking across 100 countries that still struggle with access. The findings show that even though global awareness is increasing, the level of funding remains low, uneven, and far from what is needed to achieve universal access under Sustainable Development Goal 7.

The report shows that between 2022 and 2024, the amount of confirmed or “proven” investment in clean cooking was only about USD 400 million. This figure is based on verified data collected directly from governments and development agencies. There is also a higher estimate, called the “possible” investment, which suggests that up to USD 2.8 billion may have been spent when including broader energy and development projects. However, even this higher number is still not enough to meet global needs.

Around 2.1 billion people across the world still do not have access to clean cooking solutions. This creates major health, environmental, and social challenges. The report estimates that, on average, about USD 22 per person is needed to provide clean cooking access. In some regions, especially small island developing states, the cost can go as high as USD 154 per person due to difficult logistics and infrastructure challenges.

The report also looks at how current funding is being used. It shows that domestic public budgets are the main source of funding, contributing nearly two-thirds of the total proven investment. Governments are taking the lead in supporting clean cooking programs within their countries. In terms of technology, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) infrastructure receives the largest share of investment, accounting for about 65 percent. Improved biomass cookstoves follow with around 32 percent of the total funding.

Despite relying on their own budgets, many governments say that external financial support is very important. Grants and concessional loans are seen as key tools to help reduce financial risks and attract private sector investment. These funding sources can help scale up clean cooking solutions more quickly and efficiently.

The report also highlights several challenges in tracking clean cooking investments. One major issue is the lack of clear definitions. It is often difficult to separate clean cooking investments from broader infrastructure projects like electricity expansion. Another challenge is fragmented data, as information is spread across different institutions, making it hard to collect and analyze. In addition, private companies are often unwilling to share detailed investment data due to business confidentiality.

Looking ahead, the outlook is not very positive. Less than one in four governments believe they will achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030. Many expect that full access may only be possible after 2040 or even 2050.

To improve the situation, countries in the Global South are calling for stable and supportive domestic policies to attract more foreign investment. The report suggests that better coordination, standard definitions, and improved data sharing will be important steps to ensure that funding reaches the areas where it is most needed.