Is your cooking stove a climate problem?

According to the United Nations, about a third of the global population still relies on polluting fuels for cooking, posing serious health risks. A recent study, “Energy–Poverty–Inequality SDGs: A Large-Scale Household Analysis and Forecasting in China,” reveals that access to clean cooking fuels not only improves health but is also linked to rising incomes and reduced inequality. The transition to cleaner fuels isn’t just about cutting emissions—it’s also about economic empowerment. To explore this connection, we spoke with Zhang Lin, Associate Professor at the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong and one of the study’s authors. In this episode, we examine the hidden environmental impact of cooking stoves and how our everyday choices in the kitchen shape both the planet and our future.