Abstract

Breathing Space tackles 'Indoor Air Pollution' – caused by the use of fires and fuel-burning
stoves for cooking and heating in many developing world homes – by deploying approaches
that are market-oriented and commercially viable. Working with existing IAP-specialist organizations, between 2002 and 2005 the Shell Foundation established 'pilot' projects in eight countries, including: India, Guatemala, Mexico, Ghana, Ethiopia, Brazil and Kenya
As a result of this process, in 2006 Breathing Space began a massive 'scale-up' of its operations in five countries: India, China, Uganda/Kenya (treated regionally), Guatemala and Brazil.

The Breathing space part commercial model consists of 5 stages and is a market driven approach to tackling this problem. Currently in India , Shell Foundation is working with two NGO partners ARTI ( Appropriate rural Technologies Institute ) and DA Development Alternatives group) . The program at the pilot stage has proven on the semi commercial viability of the program These partners have worked extensively with Stove designs, getting stoves into peoples homes and building a sustainable value chain and sold over 80,000 improved cook stoves till end 2005. Both these partners together have now a business plan to sell 2 million stoves over the next 5 years.

India will be a lead country in the breathing space global vision to sell 20 million stoves. For India the vision is to reach 5-7 million households. The southern states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu are the next two states chosen for scale up. Initial work involved with market testing , product development , commercial pilot and partner identification is all in progress.

This 'market-oriented' approach stands in stark contrast to almost all other approaches in the IAP

sector. It is hoped that as the model matures – and the commercial elements of it become more apparent, other actors will be attracted, creating leverage for more and more of the process to be run and funded by the private sector.
Ultimately, this will lead to a significant reduction in the incidence of IAP.

Presentation: http://www.cleanairnet.org/baq2006/1757/docs/SP11_3.ppt