WBGx: The Hidden Side of Energy Access: Understanding Clean Cooking (Virtual Knowledge Exchange)

This course is based on the World Bank’s “ The Hidden Side of Energy Access: Understanding Clean Cooking ”. This course explores the hidden side of energy access by uncovering the reality that over 4 billion people around the world currently lack access to modern energy cooking services (MECS) for their daily cooking needs. Throughout the developing world, households still cook with firewood and charcoal on rudimentary stoves in poorly ventilated rooms, resulting in significant negative impacts for health, gender, the environment, and our climate.

The Hidden Side of Energy Access: Understanding Clean Cooking

Course Description

"The Hidden Side of Energy Access: Understanding Clean Cooking" is an innovative, month-long interactive workshop series that delves into the often-overlooked aspect of energy access: clean cooking solutions. This course, offered by the World Bank's Open Learning Campus (OLC) and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), aims to bridge the knowledge gap in modern energy cooking services (MECS) and its global impact.

With over half the world's population lacking access to clean cooking solutions, this course addresses a critical issue that affects health, climate, environment, and gender equality. By combining self-paced e-learning modules with live speaker presentations from clean cooking innovators and practitioners, discussion forums, and interactive exercises, this course offers a comprehensive understanding of the clean cooking landscape.

What Students Will Learn

The importance of modern energy cooking services (MECS) in the global energy access agenda
The health, climate, environmental, and gender impacts of traditional cooking methods
Key demand and supply-side barriers in the clean cooking sector
Entrepreneurial challenges and successes in clean cooking
Innovative financing instruments for clean cooking solutions
Systems-level priorities and policy roles in accelerating access to MECS
The Multi-Tier Framework for assessing energy access

Prerequisites

This is an introductory-level course with no specific prerequisites. However, a general interest in environmental studies, sustainable development, or global energy issues would be beneficial.

Course Coverage

The state of global access to modern energy cooking services
Health, environmental, climate, and gender impacts of traditional cooking methods
The concept of MECS and the Multi-Tier Framework
Demand and supply-side barriers in the clean cooking sector
Entrepreneurial journeys in clean cooking
Financing challenges and innovations in the clean cooking sector
Policy roles and systems-level priorities for accelerating MECS access

Who This Course Is For

Students interested in environmental studies and sustainable development
Professionals working in the energy sector or NGOs
Policymakers and government officials involved in energy access initiatives
Entrepreneurs and innovators in the clean cooking space
Anyone passionate about global development and improving living conditions worldwide

Real-World Application of Skills

Developing and implementing clean cooking initiatives in communities
Designing policies to promote clean cooking solutions
Creating innovative financing models for clean cooking projects
Launching or improving clean cooking businesses
Advocating for increased attention and resources for clean cooking
Conducting research on the impacts of clean cooking solutions
Integrating clean cooking considerations into broader energy access and development projects

Syllabus

Week 1: Making the Case for Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS)

Introduction to MECS and the Multi-Tier Framework
Health, environmental, climate, and gender impacts of traditional cooking methods

Week 2: The Entrepreneurial Journey

Demand and supply-side barriers in the clean cooking sector
Case studies of challenges and successes in clean cooking entrepreneurship

Week 3: Innovating Financing Instruments for Clean Cooking

Investment needs for universal MECS access
Innovative financing models and instruments

Week 4: Accelerating Access to MECS: Systems-level Priorities and the Role of Policy

Systems-level recommendations for advancing clean cooking
The role of policy in accelerating MECS access

Each week includes speaker presentations, discussion forums, and self-paced exercises to reinforce learning and encourage practical application of concepts.