Efficient Cookstoves in Uganda

This offset project invests in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of efficient cookstoves in Uganda. The objective is to improve the access to cleaner, healthier, more cost-effective cooking methods amongst local households.

Background

Over a third of the global population relies on open fires for cooking. This usually happens indoors. These fires produce a lot of smoke, which is dangerous to people’s health. Globally, four million people die from respiratory diseases caused by cooking over an open fire. This is more than the collective death toll of tuberculosis, malaria and Aids.

In addition, meal preparation on open fires has a huge impact on the climate, and on social development of women and children. It is them, after all, who tend to be responsible for the collection of firewood and meal preparation.

The project

Our project eases the impact on the climate whilst improving people’s health by investing in the local manufacturing, distribution, and sales of cleaner, cost-efficient cookstoves. Due to their clever design, these stoves use 50% less wood and produce less smoke than ordinary stoves. Besides improving people’s health, these devices help fight deforestation and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, by so combatting climate change.

Collaboration

Climate Neutral Group works with the project by investing in the manufacturing, distribution, and sales of efficient cookstoves through the purchase of carbon credits. This allows the project to improve people’s access to cleaner cookstoves.

This initiative carries a Gold Standard certification. The Gold Standard certification guarantees that the effects, monitoring, and auditing of emission-reducing projects are done properly. In addition, Climate Neutral Group is a member of The International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA).

Climate and environment

The stoves’ efficient combustion system decreases wood and charcoal use by 50%. This means:

  • Improves indoor air quality
  • Fights against deforestation – Combats climate change by reducing the emission of CO2 in the atmosphere

Social and economic

  • The cookstoves improve the living conditions of women and children by reducing the time they spend collecting firewood and cooking. They, as a result, have more time for other things, including finding employment, studying, and being an active part of their family.
  • This project also contributes to local employment opportunities in manufacturing and sales.
  • Finally, using less wood and charcoal positively affects people’s disposable incomes. These savings can be invested in education and other crucial household expenses.

Health

  • The project helps decrease world’s annual death toll (4 million per year) associated with cooking over an open fire.
  • People suffer from fewer neck and back problem as they have to carry less wood (particularly in the countryside).