The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) has called on government, as part of the short-term actions for the No Paraffin Campaign, to implement a range of specific policy and programme actions to strengthen public protection while the use of paraffin by households is being phased out.

"The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) must 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 substandard stoves through strengthened sanctions," ASSAf states.

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, the academy adds.

"The No Paraffin Campaign calls for an accelerated transition to safe, affordable and modern energy that prioritises 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 liquefied petroleum gas, or other proven and feasible safer energy alternative," the academy notes.

Additionally, in the medium term, the 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 phase-out 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," ASSAf says.

Other key elements include the development of supportive infrastructure to support energy user access, including distribution networks, financial support and incentive systems for energy acquisitions 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 outcomes.

"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," the academy states.