The number of people who use traditional biomass as wood and manure, is projected to rise from 2.7 billion today, to 2.8 billion in 2030, announced the International Energy Agency (IEA) bringing attention to the fact that the vast usage of biomass for cooking is a key component of energy poverty as reported in InDepthNews. This statement was made as a part of IEA's call to secure adequate funds to turn universal energy access into a reality.
It is been projected by WHO and IEA that the number of IAP deaths owing to the use of traditional biomass in stoves with inadequate ventilation will lead to over 1.5 million premature deaths per year in 2030, while the number of premature deaths from malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS will reduce.
IEA says that to combat IAP related deaths and to provide clean cooking facilities to 2.8 billion people, a sum of USD 2.6 billion is required every year. The total investment projected between now and 2030 is USD 756 billion to achieve universal access to electricity and clean energy.
Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA's chief economist on approaching 2012, says, “As we build up to the 'International Year of Sustainable Energy for All', the global community must rally together to make sure that access to energy becomes a right that is not only enjoyed by the majority, but by each and every citizen of the world."
Meanwhile, the IEA is also catering to issues of energy security, economic development, fostering economic growth, environmental awareness and eliminating energy poverty.
Read full story on: ‘Make Access to Energy a Right of All Citizens’
