The Challenge
More than half of the world's population—three billion
people—cook their food and heat their homes by burning
coal and biomass, including wood, charcoal, dung, and
crop residues, over open fires or rudimentary stoves. Indoor
burning of solid fuels releases dangerous particulate matter,
carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants; leads to indoor
air pollution levels that are 20 to 100 times greater than the
World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines;
and releases greenhouse gases and black carbon into the air.
Unfortunately, the health risks and threats to the environment
are on the rise: the International Energy Agency estimates that
200 million more people will use these fuels by 2030.
WHO estimates that 1.5 million people die prematurely
each year from exposure to indoor smoke. In fact, indoor air
pollution from household energy is ranked fourth in the list
of serious threats to health in less developing countries, after
malnutrition, unsafe sex, and unsafe water.
Women and children face the greatest risks. Breathing unsafe
levels of smoke indoors more than doubles a child's risk of
serious respiratory infection and is associated with pregnancy
problems, such as stillbirth and low-weight babies.
The Solution
To address this challenge, a group of committed organizations
joined forces in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development to launch the Partnership for Clean Indoor Air
(PCIA). Through 2008, key PCIA Partners have reported
helping 2.4 million households to adopt clean cooking and
heating practices, reducing harmful exposures for more than
18.4 million people. By 2011, these Partners plan to reach
another 15 million households. As more PCIA Partners
establish goals and report progress, these results will grow.
In addition to the significant health benefits for women and
children, improved cooking and heating technologies and
fuels have social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Women and children spend less time collecting fuel, allowing
more time for important educational, ecomomic, and family
activities. Clean burning and fuel efficient cooking and
heating practices also reduce carbon emissions, deforestation,
erosion, and desertification caused by burning solid fuels.
Globally, improved household energy practices contribute to
achieving the Millennium Development Goals to reduce child
mortality, improve maternal health, eradicate poverty, promote
gender equality, and ensure environmental sustainability.
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Mission
More than 310 public and private organizations working in 115 countries have joined the
Partnership for Clean Indoor Air. By giving their time, resources, and expertise to reduce
exposure to indoor air pollution from household energy use, PCIA Partners are improving
health, livelihood, and quality of life, particularly for women and children.
The Partnership focuses on four priority areas which have proved to be essential elements
for sustainable household energy and health programs in developing countries:
>• Meeting Social and Behavioral Needs
>• Developing Local Markets
>• Improving Technology Design & Performance
>• Monitoring Impacts of Interventions
www.PCIAonline.org
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What You Can Do
> Join the Partnership online at
www.PCIAonline.org.
^ Share information and best practices from
your work with Partners around the world.
> Participate in Partnership workshops and
activities.
>• Utilize Partnership protocols and guidance in
your household energy and health programs.
> Sponsor a PCIA workshop or other PCIA
activities.
Our Approach
Capacity Building - The Partnership provides in-depth
technical training in community outreach and education,
stove design and performance, market development, and
indoor air pollution and socio-economic impact monitoring
the four priority areas for sustainable programs. The
Partnership also supports active information exchange to
help researchers, entrepreneurs, project implementers, and
program directors learn from one another through regional
workshops and international meetings and forums. The
Biennial Partnership Forums give Partners an outstanding
opportunity to share results, best practices, and lessons
learned, and set goals for reducing global indoor air
pollution.
Technical Assistance -The Partnership supports stove
testing and technical training and offers technology design
and performance guides to increase the capacity of Partners
to design and manufacture clean, efficient, and safe cooking
and heating technology.
Project Implementation — Partners are implementing
projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to identify
effective approaches for increasing the use of clean, reliable,
affordable, efficient, and safe home cooking and
heating practices.
Partners are committed to expanding the scale and impact
of projects that successfully promote fuel-efficient cooking
and heating practices that meet users' needs and reduce
exposures. These projects integrate successful outreach and
education models, market-based solutions that promote local
business development, and effective monitoring to track
emission reductions and other benefits.
Knowledge Management - The Partnership publishes
the quarterly PCIA Bulletin, which highlights the activities
of the Partnership and its Partners around the world to
raise awareness about issues related to indoor air pollution,
household energy, and health. Past issues of the Bulletin
are available online at www.PCIAonline.oig/Bulletin. In
addition, the PCIA Web site provides background information
on household energy and health, access to PCIA publications
and other important resources, relevant news and events
updates, and highlights of Partner accomplishments.
About the Partners
The Partnership consists of more than 310 Partner
organizations from around the world, including non-profit
organizations (50%), private sector companies and consultants
(24%), governments and multilateral agencies (14%), and
educational institutions (12%). Visitwww.PCIAonline.org
for a complete list and description of Partners.
To learn more about the Partnership and how it is improving indoor
air in homes around the world, visit www.PCIAonline.org or contact:
Brenda Doroski
doroski.brenda@epa.gov
John Mitchell
mitchell.john@epa.gov
Elisa Derby
pciaonline@yahoo.com
www.PCIAonline.org
Photo credits:
Page 1: Curt Carnemark/The World Bank and Ray Witlin/The World Bank
Page 2: Don O'Neal, HELPS International
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