Supply chain disruptions have created widespread shortages of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across Asia and Africa, forcing millions of households to abandon cleaner cooking fuels. The shortage is emptying restaurant menus and driving the growth of black market fuel trading as communities struggle to maintain access to cooking gas.
The shift away from LPG to traditional biomass fuels like coal and wood represents a significant setback for emissions reduction efforts. Household cooking accounts for a substantial portion of global carbon emissions, and the transition from cleaner-burning gas back to solid fuels increases both carbon dioxide and particulate matter emissions per cooking session.