Bangladesh’s progress towards achieving a 35% access rate to clean energy for cooking has experienced a setback, falling to 28% in 2022, according to a report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The government had set a target of reaching 35% by 2030. This places Bangladesh with the lowest clean cooking access in South Asia, with 77% of the population lacking access to clean fuels and technologies.
The report highlights that 92% of rural households in Bangladesh rely on solid fuels, leading to household air pollution and associated health issues. In comparison, developed countries enjoy 100% access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. World Health Organization stressed the importance of scaling up clean and sustainable energy to protect human health and promote a healthier population. The event where the report was presented was attended by government officials and other stakeholders.