THE National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC) in Morogoro, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has launched a project aimed at promoting the use of clean energy in schools across the country dubbed ‘Clean Cooking Transition in Schools in Tanzania’.

The initiative will initially cover 50 primary and secondary schools in four regions — Kigoma, Tabora, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam — where large electric cookers will be installed.

 NCMC Executive Director Prof. Eliakimu Zahabu made the announcement here at the weekend during the signing of an agreement for the implementation of the project in the four regions.

 He explained that the 10-year project involving the 50 schools carries the theme ‘Switch to Electric Pressure Cookers for a Cleaner and Healthier School Environment’.

 “Through this project, the cost of using these electric cookers will be incorporated under a carbon emission reduction programme,” Prof. he said.

 He noted that the initiative supports the government’s call for the adoption of clean cooking energy, and focuses on institutions that serve more than 100 people such as primary and secondary schools.

 According to Prof. Zahabu, studies have shown that using electricity for cooking is more cost-effective compared to firewood and charcoal. The selected schools will serve as examples of how these technologies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

 He added that the choice of the four regions was informed by research showing high dependency on firewood and charcoal.

 “The selected regions are heavily involved in forest destruction and loss, according to our studies,” Prof. Zahabu said, pointing out that Kigoma and Tabora lead in deforestation levels, while Dodoma and Dar es Salaam have large populations relying on charcoal and firewood for cooking.

 WFP Country Director, Donald Tran Ba Huy, said the project will help reduce environmental degradation and phase out the use of polluting energy sources in the country.

 He cited statistics showing that Tanzania loses about 500,000 hectares of forest annually due to various human activities.

 The WFP official added that the use of dirty energy contributes to numerous human diseases, including cancer, stressing that switching to clean energy such as electric cookers will significantly reduce such health risks.