Partner for development and climate action

The climate crisis is also threatening people and nature in Bangladesh. In order to support the population in adapting to climate change, it is necessary to strengthen the livelihoods of low-income families.

In Bangladesh, more than 90% of households cook on inefficient stoves that rely on firewood. This emits a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, the smoke causes respiratory diseases, and it is not uncommon for family members to burn themselves on the fire. Children in particular are at risk when families cook on open fires.

In 2009, the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) launched a special climate programme and initiated a climate project together with a village committee in the districts of Barguna and Bagerhat in southern Bangladesh.

Innovative climate solutions and the dissemination of climate-friendly technologies are intended to help reduce fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions and improve the health situation of women and children. In concrete terms, this means that in order to save firewood, households in the region are gradually being provided with energy-saving stoves. Around 100 people are employed in the installation, introduction and monitoring of the stoves. In the manufacturing process, the women are responsible for grinding the individual parts.

A stove costs around €16, with families making a contribution of €5. The energy-saving cookers require 70 to 80% less firewood for cooking. This saves 3.27 tonnes of CO2 per year per stove. Women and girls, who are traditionally responsible for procuring firewood, have to go into the forest to collect wood much less often.