Assessment of Potential Carbon Benefits by Shifting to Improved Cookstove in Rural Households of West Bengal

Comparative Emission Analysis

The deployment of Less-Smoke Chulhas demonstrates a significant reduction in the emissions of PM10, PM2.5, Black Carbon, CO, and CH4 compared to traditional cookstoves when burning equivalent types and volumes of biomass fuel. Interestingly, these improved stoves exhibit higher emissions of CO2, SO2, and NOX, a result likely driven by the higher combustion temperatures and increased oxygen availability inherent in their design. Despite these specific increases, the overall air quality within pilot village kitchens improved markedly, with lower concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, CO, and CO2 recorded. This primary reduction in indoor air pollution is attributed to the enhanced thermal efficiency of the Less-Smoke Chulhas, which require substantially less biomass fuel to prepare the same quantity of food.

Spatial Variability and Carbon Credit Potential

The study highlights that variations in fuel types and local cooking practices across pilot villages lead to significant spatial differences in pollutant reduction. This variability directly impacts the consistency of carbon credit estimations across the study region, underscoring a critical need for region-specific emission measurements per unit of biomass fuel consumed. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that Less-Smoke Chulhas hold the potential to generate substantial annual carbon credits in West Bengal. While current adoption rates remain low due to limited awareness, the study identifies CO concentration as a reliable and effective proxy for monitoring stove usage among beneficiary households.

Socio-Economic Impact and Livelihoods

Beyond environmental metrics, the transition to Less-Smoke Chulhas offers transformative socio-economic benefits. Each beneficiary household is estimated to gain an additional 33 working days per year, recovered from the time previously spent on fuel collection and extended cooking periods. By reducing the labor burden on households, this initiative provides a clear pathway to enhanced financial stability and improved quality of life, positioning the adoption of improved cookstoves as both an environmental necessity and an instrument for rural development.

Project Report

Improved_Cookstove_Report_of_West_Bengal_2025.pdf