COP29 Side Event: Solar Cooking – A Pathway to Emissions Prevention and Climate Crisis Mitigation

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As part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, held from November 11 to 22, 2024, Solar Cookers International (SCI) hosted a side event on Friday, November 22, at the Cryosphere Pavilion. The event brought together experts in solar cooking to discuss how this technology can mitigate climate change, reduce emissions, and provide sustainable cooking solutions.

The session kicked off with a presentation by Alan Bigelow, Ph.D., SCI's Program and Science Director, who emphasized the scientific and environmental benefits of solar cooking technologies. 

Sara Rosen, SCI’s Program and Operations Manager, and Carmen Rocio Maldonado de Chazal, SCI Global Advisor, spoke about SCI’s global initiatives and the role of solar cooking in building community resilience and reducing deforestation. They were joined by guest speakers Sameer Sharma, CEO & Co-founder of Swaaha, who shared success stories of integrating solar cooking into urban and rural settings; Eva Wissenz, Founder, Managing Director, and Chair of the Board at Lytefire Ltd., who discussed innovations in solar thermal solutions; and Keith Wingeard, SCI Partnerships Manager, who highlighted efforts to expand the reach of solar cooking.

The event provided actionable insights into how solar cooking addresses pressing global challenges, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy poverty, showcasing it as a scalable solution for climate action. This event would not have been possible without the support of our donors and advocates. Thank you for empowering SCI to represent solar cooking solutions at key international platforms like COP29. We hope you enjoy watching the event!