SDGs: Standardization for people

Nearly 3 billion people in the developing world cook over open fires or rudimentary stoves using solid fuels including wood, dung, coal, and crop residues. This releases particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other toxic pollutants, leading to over 4 million premature deaths annually. This issue also impacts the environment – open fires and traditional cookstoves release greenhouse gases and black carbon, and put pressure on local resources such as forests and habitat. In addition, households can spend up to 5 hours per day gathering fuel or up to 40% of their household income. ISO Technical Committee 285, Clean cookstoves and clean cooking solutions, develops International Standards to address these issues.