Population using solid fuels (percentage)
Rationale for use
The use of solid fuels in households is associated with increased mortality from pneumonia and other acute lower respiratory diseases among children as well as increased mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer (where coal is used) among adults. It is also a Millennium Development Goal indicator.
Definition
Percentage of population using solid fuels.
Associated terms
Solid fuels include biomass fuels, such as wood, charcoal, crops or other agricultural waste, dung, shrubs and straw, and coal.
Data sources
Household surveys and national censuses.
National energy statistics on the proportion of population using solid fuels are based either on data from surveys or censuses, or on modelling where no survey or census data are available.
Methods of estimation
The data from surveys and censuses are used as reported in the surveys and censuses. A regression model based on gross national income, per capita petroleum consumption and rural population is being used for countries without survey data. All countries without survey data and with a GNP per capita above US$ 10,500 are assumed to have made a complete transition to cooking with non-solid fuels.
For low- and middle-income countries with a GNI per capita below US$ 10,500.- and for which no household solid fuel use data are available, a regression model based on GNI, percentage of rural population and location or non-location within the Eastern Mediterranean Region is used to estimate the indicator.
Disaggregation
By location (e.g. urban/rural, major regions/provinces) and socio-economic characteristics (e.g. education level, wealth quintile).
References
- Indoor air pollution and the Millennium Development Goals
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Indoor air pollution from household use of solid fuels
Smith KR, et al. Indoor air pollution from household use of solid fuels. In: Ezzati M et al., eds. Comparative quantification of health risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2004. -
Comparative quantification of health risks
Comparative quantification of health risks: global and regional burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2004. -
Assessing household solid fuel use - multiple implications for the Millennium Development Goals
Rehfuess E, et al. Assessing household solid fuel use - multiple implications for the Millennium Development Goals. In press. Environmental Health Perspectives, March 2006. -
Modeling household solid fuel use towards reporting of the Millennium Development Goal indicator
pdf, 230kb
Mehta S, et al. Modeling household solid fuel use towards reporting of the Millennium Development Goal indicator. In press. Energy for Sustainable Development, June 2006.
Database
Comments
For 93 countries solid fuel use data were compiled from recent censuses or household surveys.
For the 36 countries, where no data were available, the indicator was modelled. For 52 upper-middle and high-income countries the indicator was assumed to be less than 5%.