Social Issue

With nearly half the planet cooking on wood fires, the Global Alliance for Clean Kitchens estimates that four million people die each year from diseases related to indoor air toxicity (childhood pneumonia, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and burns). Cleaner kitchen technologies, such as BioLite’s HomeStove, can significantly improve sanitation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the time and cost saved by reducing the amount of fuel, typically wood, that it is necessary to gather, generally by women and children.

Our Response

Founded in 2009, BioLite designs and sells kitchens, capable of charging electrical devices, for outdoor entertainment and emerging markets. Netri supports the company in marketing and distributing its HomeStove, a kitchen designed specifically for low-income families in developing countries and who uses bonfires for cooking. Field research in Uganda has shown that HomeStove produces 85% less smoke and carbon dioxide emissions and consumes 65% less fuelwood than traditional alternatives. Its USB output allows users to charge their phones and light the room while they cook, which is particularly useful for many of the customers who are not connected to any electrical network and depend on kerosene batteries to meet their energy needs.

Expected Social Impact

BioLite has optimistic growth expectations for the next three years. According to our calculations, Netri’s private investment would translate into facilitating more than 12,500 households (more than 60,000 people) to benefit from a healthier environment due to substantial reductions in smoke and pollution. Families are also expected to save an average of $40 to $200 a year on electricity for charging phones and lighting. The expected environmental impact is calculated at a reduction of 370,000 tons of carbon dioxide.