New initiative on biomass stoves launched

A new initiative that will help reduce the cost of improved stove technologies to rural customers through the sale of carbon credits was launched Tuesday.

The initiative was developed under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations Frameworks Convention on Climate Change.

"Increased use of clean and efficient cookstoves is crucial to reduce the burden of disease from indoor air pollution as well to avoid the overuse of biomass resources," said New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah.

"Efficient cooking technologies have a direct tangible impact on the livelihoods of the poor, as they save time and money that previously had to be spent on procuring cooking fuels," he said.

The initiative was launched along with the German government.