This study provides the review of two World Bank experts on the 19 household projects supported by the Bank. The study provides eight lessons, namely: (1) holistic approach to household fuels is needed: the fuel-wood supply has to be sustainable; improved stoves and alternative fuels are needed; and institutions must be able to create and implement regulatory incentives that work; (2) Public awareness campaigns are needed: households need to be informed of the risks they face by using inefficient stoves; (3) Local communities must be involved early on: this includes governments, NGOs and the private sector; (4) Consumer fuel subsidies don’t help poor people. Wealthier households benefit the most from subsidies, which cause fiscal deficits; (5) Both market-based and public support are needed to commercialize cookstoves. A cookstove market is the best long-term solution, but public support is needed at the early stage; (6) Cookstove users’ needs must come first: users who get what they want from cookstoves will adopt them; (7) Durability of cookstoves is important: durable stoves made of good quality materials will get used; and (8) Microfinance helps cookstove programs succeed.