Our beginnings

Fuel for Change emerged from a PhD study undertaken by Mark Jones between 2017 and 2020 in Kalyanpur Pora Bostee (KPB), a large slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The study was on energy practices and energy justice (access, sources, pricing and social impacts associated with energy). It was found that over two-thirds of households use firewood for cooking, a hugely harmful practice.

As women undertake all cooking in the slum, the health impacts fall mainly on them. A January 2021 pilot project paid for two-thirds of the cost of gas stoves for 25 women cooking with firewood. The project generated huge interest amongst residents of the slum.