Solar Cookers International improves human and environmental health by supporting the expansion of effective carbon-free solar cooking in world regions of greatest need. SCI leads through advocacy, research, and strengthening the capacity of the global solar cooking movement.

Solar Cookers International (SCI) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit dedicated to improving human and environmental health by supporting the expansion of effective carbon-free solar cooking in world regions of greatest need. SCI leads through advocacy, research, and strengthening the capacity of the global solar cooking movement. Because cooking duties fall mostly on the shoulders of women and girls in many parts of the world, SCI weaves a strong network of global partners to empower vulnerable women in world regions of greatest need. SCI has a long-term strategy to respond to the accelerating global demand for solar-thermal cooking technologies. With 3 billion people cooking over open fires, the need for clean cooking solutions like solar cooking is great. SCI is the worldwide hub for international solar cooking advocacy, capacity building, and research. SCI strengthens grassroots solar cooking activities globally, and advocates for clean, sustainable cooking solutions through the United Nations and other international forums. SCI connects over 700 collaborators in over 135 countries to amplify global solar cooking adoption and help people in vulnerable regions as they build resilience in a rapidly changing world.SCIs analysis of solar cooker data estimates that over 23 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been prevented as a result of existing solar cookers around the globe. Preventing 23 million tonnes of CO2 is equivalent to not driving 56 billion miles or not burning 25 billion pounds of coal. Global data analyzed by SCI suggests that since 1990, more than 6 billion meals have been prepared by more than 3.3 million solar cookers; using free solar energy, saving forests and habitats, increasing safety for women and girls, lessening indoor air pollution and related health issues, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SCIs long-term plans focus on scaling up solar cooking to accelerate impacts. With regards to building capacity, in FY 2018-2019, SCI continued working with grassroots collaborators in locations such as Kenya. On the Human Development Index (HDI 2018), Kenya ranks 142 out of 189 countries. SCI partnered with local manufacturer Ecomandate to construct 35 Heliac solar cookers for Kakuma Camp Refugee residents, directly impacting 350 people. SCI leveraged this initiative so that Heliac donated 5 additional solar cookers increasing the total number of Heliac solar cookers to 40 and people with new access to solar cooking to 400.SCI continued to build sector capacity by maintaining and improving the Solar Cooking Wiki, the worlds largest online database of solar cooking information globally www.solarcooking.org. This resource provides current, high-quality solar cooking resources to collaborators and interested parties around the globe in 37 languages, which makes it accessible to 4 billion readers worldwide. SCI assisted the Universit Notre Dame dHaiti UDERS de Hinche in Haiti to develop and implement solar cooking curriculum. The SCI Wiki significantly contributed to the curriculum development as an accurate and informative resource. SCI utilized digital communications (Facebook, SCI website, blogs, Twitter, conference calls, etc.) to share progress updates, resources, tools, successes and findings from SCI and collaborators to build the capacity of the solar cooking sector. With regards to solar cooking research, SCI continues to be the leader in developing a performance evaluation process (PEP) for solar cooker technologies. SCI is an internationally credible, objective body promoting all high-quality, durable, affordable solar cooking technologies for use in all appropriate, vulnerable regions of the world. SCIs Performance Evaluation Process measures the power of solar cookers in Watts. Based on the internationally accepted ASAE 580.1 standard that harmonizes with the International Organization of Standards (ISO), evaluation results provide customers--such as individuals, and United Nations agencies--with an objective, reliable evaluation of solar cooking technologies. SCI now has PEP testing centers in four locations (Nairobi, Kenya; Lalitpur, Nepal; Nyack, New York, USA; and Sacramento area, California, USA). In FY 2018-2019, SCI established an additional Performance Evaluation Process (PEP) Testing Center at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. SCI helps build local economies and sector capacity with the PEP, too. Through active advocacy at the High Level Political Forum and other United Nations conferences, SCI provided data to the United Nations by right of its special consultative status. SCI advocates for inclusion of solar cooking in grassroots activities and countries policies to help achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and advocate for supportive clean, sustainable energy policy. SCIs advocacy at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP24) provided information and data to national ministers seeking solutions for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to meet the Paris Agreement 2015 goals. SCI advocated for increased adoption of solar cooking as a solution by presenting at a side event and exhibiting, both at the UK Pavilion and with the International Solar Energy Society (ISES). Further, SCI conducted three press conferences with guest speakers including the World Health Organization (WHO), Gold Standard (a carbon credit certifying organization), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN 21). This significantly raised the level of recognition and knowledge about solar cooking with influential collaborators. SCI had the opportunity to expose the 30,000 COP participants (1,500 of which were media representatives) to solar cooking information. Media from various countries then shared news from Solar Cookers International with their respective communities, spreading knowledge of solar cooking even further. SCI also advocated for solar cooking at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations in New York, as solar cooking is an important womens empowerment solution, in addition to its health and environmental benefits. And SCI spoke at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya during a Faith for Earth Side Event From Trash to Treasures: Community-Driven Approaches to Sustainable Consumption.SCI was featured in a United Nations news podcast and has a published chapter on solar cooking in the United Nations book A Better World. In FY 2018-2019, SCI has approximately 50 committed volunteers, including 13 volunteer SCI Global Advisors representing Africa, North America, Latin America, and Asia. The value of all SCI volunteers commitment during fiscal year 2018-2019 exceeds $42,000. SCI looks to a future where solar thermal technologies are readily available for people everywhere who need clean, sustainable, free energy solutions for their cooking and safe-drinking-water needs.