Modeling carbon emission from cooking fuels in rural communities: a pathway to low-carbon emission
Date
2025
Authors
Rono, B. C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The availability of clean, sustainable cooking fuel remains a fundamental obstacle throughout Kenyan rural areas since traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal control household energy usage patterns. Using these fuels causes significant carbon pollution, deforestation damage, and health risks from indoor air contamination. The transition must establish low-carbon energy alternatives for effective change between environmental responsibility and reasonable cost-effectiveness. This research evaluates carbon emissions across cooking fuel types within Kenyan rural areas while identifying methods to decrease emissions. The analysis uses Microsoft Excel Software to evaluate four energy transition strategies, from Business-As-Usual (BAU) through Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) use and bioethanol and electricity combination to an extensive clean energy implementation. The study presents data-driven emission projections that combine literature research with energy consumption surveys and policy guidelines for different intervention approaches. The KNBS data shows that cooking fuel emissions will increase because of population expansion and the continued use of biomass in the Business-As-Usual context. The complete electrification of cooking equipment offers the most lasting solution against emissions reduction since it effectively surpasses LPG and bioethanol systems. The transition to sustainable cooking needs improvements in infrastructure systems, a solution for affordability, and better policy enforcement. The investigation demonstrates the pressing requirement for government-backed programs, financial resources from the private sector, and active community participation to enhance clean cooking technology adoption rates. Governments should provide financial support for green energy fuels, develop expanded power grid systems, and launch information programs to change public cooking behavior. Implementing such measures will lead rural communities towards sustainable, low-carbon cooking solutions that support countrywide and global climate objectives.
Description
Full - text thesis
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Citation
Rono, B. C. (2025). Modeling carbon emission from cooking fuels in rural communities: A pathway to low-carbon emission [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15969