“Eco-stoves,” an improved version that reduces the consumption of firewood, are finding their way to Tegucigalpa's largest low-income neighborhoods — in a bid to halt deforestation. Promoting the initiative are lawmakers who hope to install 400 eco-stoves in seven neighborhoods in six months, replicating a rural effort that had positive results.

In addition to reducing pressure on the forests, these efficient stoves allow “living without smoke in homes and they contribute to reducing the greenhouse effect,” parliamentary vice-president Lena Gutiérrez told Tierramérica.

Annual firewood consumption in Honduras reaches 11 million cubic meters and is one of the leading causes of deforestation, along with the illegal timber trade. Honduras loses about 80,000 hectares of forest each year.