Today, the Clean Cooking Alliance has published its 2024 Annual Report, underlining how access to clean cooking fuels and technologies is becoming a critical lever in transforming global food systems. The new findings highlight the intersections of health, environmental impact, and food security in the way people cook.
According to the report, nearly 2.3 billion people worldwide still rely on polluting fuels like wood, charcoal, and biomass for everyday cooking. These practices contribute to indoor air pollution, respiratory illnesses, and environmental degradation. Meanwhile, the Alliance emphasized that expanding clean cooking access is disproportionately beneficial for women and children, who often bear the burden of fuel collection and exposure to smoke.
The report also details progress in 2024:
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Strengthened global advocacy and political commitment to integrate clean cooking into national strategies
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Advances in carbon finance and accountability mechanisms, creating more sustainable models for deployment
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Investments in consumer-oriented clean cooking companies that prioritize accessibility, reliability, and local adaptation
The Alliance frames clean cooking as more than a technology upgrade—it is a foundational change in how communities feed themselves, how food is prepared, and how resilience, equity, and sustainability are built into the everyday act of cooking.
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Relevance to MENA Regions
Though the challenges differ across geographies, the core message resonates: how we cook matters. In regions like the Middle East, where fuel infrastructure, urban density, economic pressures, and climate change converge, promoting clean cooking helps reduce emissions, improve indoor air quality, and support healthier eating practices.
NoGarlicNoOnions sees this report as a reminder: food culture isn’t just about what’s on the plate, but how it gets there—from fuel to flame. As we spotlight kitchens, chefs, and ingredients in Beirut and Dubai, clean cooking should be part of the narrative for sustainable, health-conscious gastronomy.
