Factors Affecting the Adoption of “Mirt” Fuel-Efficient Stove to Carbon Emission Reduction Approach in Bale Zone, Sinana District, Southeast Ethiopia

The heavy reliance on traditional biomass fuels in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, significantly contributes to deforestation, environmental degradation, and health risks associated with inefficient cooking practices. This study is aimed at examining the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of the “Mirt” fuel-efficient cook stove in the Bale Zone, Sinana District, Southeast Ethiopia, and its potential contribution to carbon emission reduction. Adopting a mixed methods approach, primary data were collected through a household survey and personal interviews from four selected villages, comprising a sample of 298 households. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors influencing stove adoption. It is shown that 46.97% of the sampled households have already adopted an improved cook stove. Level of education of the household head, family size, and having a separate kitchen were positively associated and significantly associated with adoption, and male-headed households were less likely to adopt the cook stove compared to female-headed households. These results underscore the importance of education and gender relations in the adoption of technology and, more generally, the role of household infrastructure (like separate cooking compartments). It also underlines the demand for better stoves and wider dissemination to raise take-up and sustainable forest management. Ultimately, education and awareness campaigns, women’s empowerment, and improved housing infrastructure are critical for advancing the adoption of fuel-efficient cook stoves in rural Ethiopia. These types of interventions may help to reduce household use of fuelwood, lower deforestation, and reduce carbon emissions from traditional cooking methods. Policy options include promoting community-based education programs, formulating gender-sensitive outreach, and further advancing stove design considerations for sustainable energy and environmental outcomes. This research offers significant empirical insights for policymakers and development practitioners looking to enhance rural energy consumption and promote environmental sustainability in the sub-Saharan African context. Future investigations should examine supplementary sociocultural and economic variables influencing adoption to formulate more efficacious interventions.