(MENAFN- Assaf Academy of Science of South Africa) The No Paraffin! Campaign calls for an accelerated transition to safe, affordable and modern energy that prioritizes the needs of socioeconomically impoverished communities. The Campaign is directed at the phasing out of paraffin as a domestic fuel in South Africa, strengthened protections for paraffin users during its phase-out and the scaled-up implementation of electricity and LPG, or other proven and feasible safer energy alternative.

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) recently issued a Statement that draws on presentations and discussions arising from the No Paraffin! Campaign Webinar Series convened by the Academy. The Statement is authored by Prof A. van Niekerk, Dr D. Kimemia and Prof, M. Seedat from the University of South Africa and the South African Medical Research Council - University of South Africa’s Masculinity and Health Research Unit and Prof H. Annegarn from the North-West University, on behalf of the No Paraffin! Campaign.

The Campaign looks at the near-term interim measures and medium-term measures.

For the immediate term, the Campaign calls on the South African government to implement a range of specific policy and program actions, aimed at strengthening public protection while paraffin is being phased out. The South African Bureau of Standards is to review and revise existing compulsory paraffin stove standards to address shortcomings and ensure enhanced protection of stove users. The incorporation of a bitterant in paraffin could reduce cases of accidental ingestion. The National Regulator for Compulsory Standards should enforce compulsory paraffin stove regulations and curtail the manufacture, distribution and use of sub-standard stoves through strengthened sanctions. Safety educational campaigns, to disseminate information on safe stove user behaviour and emergency responses, through partnerships between energy technology and fuel suppliers, civic and community organisations, and government, should be launched.

In the medium term, the South African Government is called on to prioritise, develop and enact a substantive policy on safe energy provision to impoverished communities, alongside interventions to support regular household incomes and suitable housing. Key elements include a White Paper to specify the milestones and mechanisms for both the phaseout of illuminating paraffin and the introduction and upscaling of the energy alternatives, a public engagement strategy to facilitate interest and use of the safe energy alternative and an energy transition plan for affected communities. This could include a national awareness campaign to highlight energy consumer rights, the attributes of replacement appliances and their safe domestic use. The South African Bureau of Standards is to set design and construction standards for all domestic energy appliances. Other key elements are the development of supportive infrastructure to support energy user access, including distribution networks, financial support and incentive systems for energy acquisition and monitoring and evaluation to determine readiness of local energy users to adopt alternative energy, identify implementation issues, assess household energy technology and usage patterns, and report on safety, health and cost outcomes2,3.

This energy campaign is aligned to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on universal access to safe and sustainable energy. Cognisant of the scale and impact of energy impoverishment, the No Paraffin! Campaign calls for: championship and commitment from government, civil society, research and industry; a scaled-up implementation of suitable safe energy solutions; and the adoption of clear milestones to record progression towards a more equitable, safe and healthy society.

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