Improved Cookstoves (ICS) Programme
Developing the cookstove market by enhancing the performance of all the actors in the ICS value chain
The Story: Fueling Change in Laos
In Laos, women spend hours each day collecting firewood and cooking on inefficient stoves that consume large amounts of wood and charcoal. The Improved Cookstoves (ICS) Programme is changing that reality. By strengthening every part of the cookstove value chain—from producers and manufacturers to retailers and consumers—this initiative is making clean, fuel-efficient stoves widely available. Women benefit directly through time saved, cleaner air in their homes, and new opportunities in the marketplace.
Quick Facts
Goal:
Develop a sustainable market for fuel-efficient cookstoves to reduce wood and charcoal use, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and empower women through time savings and economic opportunity.
Location:
Laos (Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, and Champasak)
Metrics:
- 93,548 W+ Credits issued
- 3 cookstove testing laboratories established under the Ministry of Science and Technology
- Value chain strengthened across production, distribution, retail, and consumer awareness
- Results of time savings under measurement
Standards & Certification:
- W+ Standard – Time Savings Domain
- Status: Registered
What We Did
- Strengthened production: Supported local producers and manufacturers to improve quality and increase output of efficient cookstoves.
- Enhanced retail capacity: Trained and equipped retailers with marketing strategies to expand consumer reach.
- Promoted awareness: Organized promotional activities with local partners, including the Lao Women’s Union, to ensure households received accurate information.
- Built testing capacity: Established three cookstove testing labs under the Ministry of Science and Technology to certify stoves to international standards.
Results & Impact
- The ICS Programme is reducing household fuel consumption, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and saving women valuable hours every day.
- With cleaner kitchens, reduced exposure to harmful smoke, and more efficient stoves, women gain both health benefits and more time for income-generating or community activities.
- Results for women’s time savings are currently being measured to capture the full scope of impact.
In the Field
Behind the scenes of projects directly from the technical experts on the ground.
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