Measures
Adoption of sustainable and clean heating in the residential sector for multitude benefits
Polluting heating practices are ubiquitous in cold weather countries, and are co-contributors (with unclean cooking and lighting) towards household air pollution and related health impacts. Not only that, polluting heating practices are inefficient, requiring a higher amount of fuel consumption.
Fuelwood heating make up about 59 per cent of Bhutan’s residential energy consumption, or 135 ktoe, in 2017. Transitioning to advanced bukhari can be the immediate solution, which may reduce fuel consumption by half. This does not only contribute towards achieving the energy efficiency target, but also reduces deforestation. More importantly, it improves health and productivity, leading to gender empowerment. More can be done to raise community awareness on the benefits of advanced bukhari. Similar to promoting clean cooking technologies, a participatory approach with key stakeholders, along with frequent monitoring should be pursued to ensure a successful implementation of programmes. Additionally, the sustainable heating issues should garner more attention and has its place in national policies and planning. In the long run, progressing towards electric heating should however be considered going forward, as the nation advances economically.
Polluting heating practices are ubiquitous in cold weather countries, and are co-contributors (with unclean cooking and lighting) towards household air pollution and related health impacts. Not only that, polluting heating practices are inefficient, requiring a higher amount of fuel consumption.
Fuelwood heating make up about 59 per cent of Bhutan’s residential energy consumption, or 135 ktoe, in 2017. Transitioning to advanced bukhari can be the immediate solution, which may reduce fuel consumption by half. This does not only contribute towards achieving the energy efficiency target, but also reduces deforestation. More importantly, it improves health and productivity, leading to gender empowerment. More can be done to raise community awareness on the benefits of advanced bukhari. Similar to promoting clean cooking technologies, a participatory approach with key stakeholders, along with frequent monitoring should be pursued to ensure a successful implementation of programmes. Additionally, the sustainable heating issues should garner more attention and has its place in national policies and planning. In the long run, progressing towards electric heating should however be considered going forward, as the nation advances economically.
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Scenario