Irish government offsets foreign travel with Malawi cookstove project
Vienna, 25.02.2011 - REEEP International Secretariat
The Government of Ireland has contracted to offset its foreign travel emissions from 2007-2009 with a purchase of Gold Standard carbon credits from a project that reduces emissions by introducing wood fuel-saving cookstoves in Malawi.
It is estimated that in Malawi, 90 percent of household and industrial energy requirements are met from forests, and 9 out of 10 fuel wood users still cook on three-stone stoves, which are estimated to have just 10-14% efficiency. Improved stoves can drastically increase the efficiency by several multiples. They are also more fuel efficient, cleaner and safer than a traditional three stone open fire.
There are two types of low-cost household stoves that target the rural population in Malawi, both of which are designed to significantly reduce indoor air pollution - a major cause of tuberculosis, asthma, cardiovascular and ocular diseases in women and children - and also reduce pressure on Malawi's debilitated forest cover.
Fixed stoves or ‘esperanza stoves’ have been developed in Malawi with special design features to improve combustion and heat transfer and to reduce smoke. Made from locally available materials, their life span is indefinite if maintained by end-users. The payback period for the end-user can be as low as four months. This stove can be manufactured at a village level, and its dissemination can act as a catalyst for village enterprises.
The project also supports chitetezo ceramic stoves; portable stoves that are made from clay at a village level, mainly by women who previously had very few sources of income. These stoves are the least expensive alternative to the traditional three-stone fire and are portable to allow for cooking indoors or outdoors. Their life span is estimated to be up to 3 years.
In addition to the direct benefits of reduced indoor and outdoor air pollution, the reduction in deforestation means that the project also brings other benefits like increased water quality and quantity, reduced river silting, and improved soil conditions, and protection of biodiversity.
“This project is Gold Standard certified, which means it has the highest pedigree in terms of its management and effectiveness. We’re proud to be purchasing carbon offsets on behalf of the Irish Government that improve the lives of women and children in such a direct way,” said Dr. Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP’s Director General.
According to the three-year contract concluded recently, REEEP facilitated the offset of the credits via First Climate (www.firstclimate.com) and the retirement of these credits, which related exclusively to improved cookstoves, will be done by the Irish Government. The project developer is Hestian (www.hestian.com).