Enhancing Household Cooking Practices: An Sdg-Centric Evaluation of Traditional Biomass Cookstove Performance in Sri Lanka

Objective: This research evaluates efficiency and fuel consumption of traditional biomass cookstoves used in various parts of Sri Lanka with emphasis on household energy consumption, its costs, and environmental sustainability within an SDG perspective. Theoretical Framework: Socioeconomic determinants affecting the use of stoves form the very basis of this study, which is further backed by theories of energy efficiency and technological adoption. Method: An explanatory mixed-methods approach, including experimental performance measurement and household surveys, was applied. Kitchen Performance Tests (KPT) and Water Boiling Tests (WBT) were done to evaluate thermal efficiency and firewood consumption. Results and Discussion: Findings indicate that traditional cookstoves have a thermal efficiency of 10.62%. The average per capita daily firewood consumption was 2.56 kg, with a standard deviation of 0.88 kg and a confidence interval of 2.35 to 2.76 kg/day. Annualized, this translates to 0.93 tons of dry wood per person per year. Affordability, cultural preferences, and lack of awareness are significant barriers to the adoption of modern cookstoves. This Research supports to improvements in traditional cookstoves, contributes to SDG 7, SDG 3, SDG 13, and SDG 15 because through enhancing energy efficiency, indoor air pollution reduction, carbon reduction, and deforestation mitigation. Research Implications: The study clearly outlines an urgent need for interventions targeted toward clean cooking-tech adoption in sustainable energy solutions and public health enhancement. Originality/Value: The research provides empirical knowledge on biomass stove efficiency and socio-economic barriers. It further contributes to the understanding of policy formulation applicable to the sustainable energy transition.