Date: 16 June 2026
Organizer: IRENA
Description: Of the 2.1 billion people without access to clean cooking, nearly 30% rely on charcoal. Its use remains persistent and is increasing in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Policy measures to curb charcoal use have mainly consisted of bans, which have largely proven ineffective. Given the expected continued dependence on charcoal for cooking energy, innovations and investments that support the modernisation of its production and use are urgently needed.
IRENA’s report explores the policies, financing mechanisms, and innovations required to modernise the charcoal value chain, ensuring access to cooking energy, enhancing energy security, and protecting the livelihoods sustained by the charcoal value chain.
