Improved kitchens a solution for almost 2 million Guatemalans

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Access to basic energy services is still a huge challenge in Latin America, especially in terms of modern energy for cooking. Furthermore, the inefficient use of firewood generates health impacts, particularly on women and children. The COVID-19 outbreak exacerbates respiratory problems. According to a recent study from Harvard University's TH Chan School of Public Health , “long-term exposure to air pollution increases vulnerability to the most severe outcomes of COVID-19.” In countries like Guatemala, this is a central challenge. Per capita consumption of firewood is the highest in Central America (0.82 t/person per year). It is the main source of energy in the country, since it represents 56% of the energy matrix, followed by petroleum products.


The annual demand for firewood is 16 million tons, equivalent to 40 million barrels of oil. The 2018 National Census shows that nearly 1,800,000 households, or 54.4% of the population, use firewood C Level Executive List as their primary source for cooking. On the other hand, firewood consumption is higher in rural households (87% of total demand), an area characterized by the increase in the prevalence of poverty and extreme poverty, especially among indigenous populations (73% compared to the national average poverty of 54%, according to data from the National Energy Institute), which prevents them from having access to other sources of energy.



High GHG emissions in Guatemala A study prepared by the IDB - not yet published - shows that 74% of the population uses firewood to satisfy at least some of their energy needs. Additionally, it is estimated that annually 65,000 new families begin to use firewood as their main source of energy. In the period 1990-2016, per capita firewood consumption has grown at a rate higher than population growth: 7% vs. 3.4%. Given the limitations that the rural population faces in accessing alternative fuels for cooking, without massive intervention it would not be possible to reduce the use of firewood in the next 30 years. That is, the percentage of households that depend on traditional cooking methods would remain at 2014 levels, at 85% of rural households and 15% of urban households.