Rethinking clean cooking solutions: Assessing the impact of subsidy and distribution modality on improved cook stove programs in Nepal

Clean cooking intervention and sustained use of them are crucial in achieving several sustainable development goals (SDG) including SDG 3, 7 and 13. This study aims to examine the impact of subsidy and distribution modality and sustainability of improved cook stove program (ICS) through retrospective assessments. The ICS distributed was an upgrade over inefficient traditional stoves, with a thermal efficiency of approximately 27 %, nearly twice the 15 % efficiency for the traditional stove. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative elements to comprehensively evaluate the government-financed improved cook stove program in two rural municipalities of Nepal. This study uncovers the nuances of the ICS in study areas and reveal significant discrepancies between the intended outcomes of interventions and the actual practices and preferences of end-users. The results show that, although stoves are provided free of cost, sustained use was not ensured. Surprisingly, approximately 35 % of the end-users had exchanged their stoves for onions, especially those with low income. However, 22 % of the participants mentioned that they use the stove occasionally, particularly during rainy season and festivals. The adoption of the improved cookstove is ultimately determined by preference of the cookstove user. The study findings emphasized the needs of end-users' requirement while selecting the clean cooking options for better intervention outcomes. Nepal as a case study, the research contributes to the global discourse on clean cooking interventions, offering insights applicable to other low- and middle-income countries facing similar challenges. The findings of this study should inform policy and practice in diverse contexts and should encourage relevant stakeholders and policy makers to reevaluate their policies and program related with clean cooking intervention in Nepal.