21 September 2010: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has joined the Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves. The Alliance was launched on the sidelines of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Summit, which is taking place in New York, US, from 20-22 September 2010.

The Alliance will boost the efficiency of approximately three billion cook stoves across Africa, Asia and Latin America, and is expected to improve health and regional environments, reduce deforestation, empower local entrepreneurs, speed development and help mitigate global climate change. The Global Alliance is part of the Clinton Global Initiative and is spearheaded by the UN Foundation. Its objectives are to: cut the estimated 1.6 million to 1.8 million premature deaths linked with indoor emissions from inefficient cook stoves; reduce deforestation by curbing the amount of wood and other biomass used to make charcoal by switching to alternative fuels; and reduce emissions of black carbon, which is estimated to be responsible for between 10-40% of current climate change. [UNEP Press Release]