Emissions and fuel use performance of two improved stoves and determinants of their adoption in Dodola, southeastern Ethiopia

Improved cook stoves (ICS) have perceived to exert a significant impact on households' economy, human health, and global climate change. There are few studies on ICS emissions and fuel use performance and on the factors that affect their adoption in Ethiopia. Thus, the objectives of this study were assessing: (a) the emissions of CO, CO2 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of improved Merchaye and Lakech charcoal stoves in comparison with traditional metal stoves; (b) specific fuel consumption (SFC) of the two ICS; and (c) the factors that affect their adoption. Data were collected using the Water Boiling Test in a laboratory and household survey. The results showed the Merchaye stove reduced emission of CO, CO2 and PM2.5 by 28, 22 and 27% respectively in comparison to a traditional charcoal stove. Whereas, the Lakech stove reduced emission of CO, CO2 and PM2.5 by 15, 8 and 13%, respectively. In non-sustainable fuel wood harvest circumstances, the annual emission reduction potential for individual Merchaye stoves was 0.33 t CO2e and Lakech stoves 0.14 t CO2e yrâ1. The SFC of Merchaye and Lakech were reduced by 222 and 164 g dâ1, respectively. The two ICS also reduced the time required for cooking. Regarding the status of adoption of ICS, 43.7% the sample households were adopters of Merchaye stoves and 31.3% Lakech, stoves. Whereas the non-adopters comprise 25% of the sample. Adoption of ICS was influenced by household head age, sex, education level and income. The results may have implication for mitigation of climate change, forest degradation and household workload. Keywords: Merchaye, Lakech, Emission, Adoption, Climate chang