Fueling Futures, Empowering Communities
We transform community cooking practices with modern energy cookstoves, using creative financing and impactful behavior change initiatives to empower people worldwide.
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Lack of Access to Modern Energy for Cooking Remains a Major Problem Globally
Nearly one third of the global population, or 2.3 billion people, still use basic and harmful cooking methods, leading to health risks and environmental damage. Achieving universal access to clean cooking isn't limited by technology or unknown policies but rather by insufficient implementation capacity and funding. Currently, less than a third of those lacking access to clean cooking are in countries with the necessary policies and resources to achieve universal access by 2030.
2.3 billion people globally still cook over open fires or basic stoves, inhaling harmful smoke from burning various fuels.
A lack of clean cooking contributes to 3.7 million premature deaths annually, women and children most at risk.
Women are disproportionately affected by traditional cooking methods, and have limited access to cleaner options.
Lost time and productivity results in a huge economic costs due to hours spent collecting firewood and other fuel sources.
Basic cooking methods using wood and charcoal often contribute to deforestation.
From Local Flames to Global Change
We Believe in Working Alongside Governments and Industry to Develop Solutions
Many governments, industry groups, and local partners recognize the urgent need to transition to modern energy solutions but often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to funding, designing, and implementing effective conversion programs. This challenge primarily arises from difficulties in articulating and conceptualizing both the problems associated with traditional cooking methods and the potential solutions offered by modern technologies. Without a clear path forward, these stakeholders struggle to develop actionable plans that can be executed on a national or regional scale.
Behavior Change Campaigns
Develop and execute comprehensive behavior change campaigns to shift consumer behaviors towards sustainable cooking practices.
Results-Based Financing Programs
Design and implement financing mechanisms that reward measurable outcomes in the adoption of modern cooking solutions.
Legislative and Policy Advocacy
Work with governments to draft and promote policies that support the adoption of modern energy-efficient cooking solutions.
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Fueling Progress with the SDGs
How Modern Energy for Cooking Advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Access to modern energy for cooking is a crucial component in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, our initiatives aim to integrate modern energy for cooking into the broader framework of sustainable development, addressing these and other goals to create a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable world. Modern energy cooking initatives cover all of the highlighted goals below, but focus mainly on SDG 3, SDG 5, SDG 7, and SDG 13.
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At GenteGas, we empower communities with innovative, sustainable cooking solutions
Mission
To empower communities through sustainable cooking solutions, our social enterprise is dedicated to revolutionizing the energy landscape by introducing innovative results-based financing and robust behavior change campaigns. We aim to enhance quality of life and environmental health by facilitating access to modern energy-efficient cookstoves, thus contributing to national and regional energy independence and sustainability.
Vision
Our vision is a world where every household has access to affordable, efficient, and sustainable cooking technologies. By spearheading legislative initiatives, designing tailored financing programs, and fostering strong consumer engagement, we strive to lead a global transition to modern energy cooking solutions. We envision our efforts culminating in widespread adoption of these technologies, significantly reducing environmental impact and improving millions of lives through healthier, cleaner, more efficient cooking practices. Our collaborative approach supports governments, industry groups, and partners in achieving a sustainable future for all.
The Team
Partner with Us:
Ignite Change, Fuel Futures
Explore how we can work together
At GenteGas, we specialize in helping industry and governments bring modern energy cooking programs to life. We provide expert guidance and comprehensive support to our partners by clearly defining the problem and crafting tailored solutions that resonate with the specific needs of each region or country. Our approach includes facilitating workshops and strategy sessions, developing clear and actionable roadmaps, and assisting in the mobilization of resources. We specialize in monitoring and evaluation, to ensure programs or initatives are achieving results. By equipping our partners with the necessary tools and knowledge, we empower them to initiate and sustain effective modern energy conversion programs that lead to measurable and lasting impacts in their communities. Explore some of the things we work on.
Results-Based Financing Design
Stakeholder Engagement for Governments, Industry Groups and Community Leaders
Behavior Change Campaigns
Modern Energy Cooking Legislative and Policy Design
Consumer Education Programs
Community-Based Proof of Concept Pilots
Monitoring and Evaluation
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Meet Our Team
Christina Espinosa
Founder & CEO
Christina was always compelled to contribute positively to society, engaging in volunteering and community service from a young age. Her life shifted significantly during her sports medicine studies in Canada, following her father's untimely death from cancer. This loss spurred her to seek a larger impact. Mentored by Jerry Hildebrand in social entrepreneurship, she explored deeper societal challenges. Her experiences in Tanzania, observing the challenges of a local NGO, inspired her thesis on development interventions using behavioral economics and anthropology. These studies led her to found GenteGas in 2010 and later become the Director of Clean Cooking at World Central Kitchen, aiming for sustainable community changes focused on modern energy cooking solutions.
Eduardo Canúz
Director of Projects
Born in Olintepeque, Guatemala, Eduardo was the only one of eight siblings from a resource-scarce family to have the opportunity for education. With a dream of engineering since age 12, he completed his degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, eventually starting a career in environmental research. In 2002, he joined the Universidad del Valle for the pioneering RESPIRE study, focusing on the health impacts of improved cooking stoves. Mentored by Kirk Smith, he has collaborated with global institutions over 20 years, deepening his expertise in air pollution monitoring, public health, and project implementation. He is driven by a passion to improve living conditions for those affected by traditional cooking methods.
Together, We Cook a Better Future
Join us in transforming the future of cooking globally. Your partnership helps us to empower communities, enhance health, and protect our environment through sustainable cooking solutions. Contact us today and be a part of this impactful journey towards a cleaner, healthier world.
Schedule a Call
1er Calle 3-42, Zona 1
Ciudad Vieja, Sacatepequez
Guatemala, C.A.
hello@gentegas.com
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