Impact Carbon's (ImpactCarbon.org) improved cookstove project in Uganda is the first to receive Gold Standard certification. In ten years, the project has grown from pilot initiatives to a large-scale, self-sustaining enterprise. By working with local manufacturers and key partners, a stable market for improved cookstoves has been established. Revenues from carbon trading fully fund the project and help local manufacturers expand their businesses. Investments in tools and machinery increase production efficiency and ensure high product quality. In addition, radio campaigns are used to communicate the benefits of the stoves, including shorter cooking times, reduced coal consumption and significant cost savings.
The aim of the project is to create sustainable market development for improved cookstoves in Uganda. This is to be achieved through full financing via CO2 certificates, the expansion of production capacities and the promotion of demand by means of targeted media campaigns. The long-term vision is to establish an economically viable market that improves the quality of life of households through more efficient cooking methods and at the same time reduces carbon emissions.
The fulfilled Sustainable Development Goals
In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, the climate protection projects generate a variety of additional benefits for people and the environment. This enables and strengthens our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Thanks to the energy-efficient cookers, families can save around 300 kilograms of charcoal worth over 100 US dollars a year - according to the World Bank, this corresponds to around one seventh of the average annual income (2014).
According to the WHO, smoke from open fires causes around 20,000 deaths in Uganda every year. The new cookers reduce the emission of smoke-related gases that cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as eye problems.
Women in particular benefit from the new cooking stoves, as they are exposed to less smoke, spend less time collecting wood and can use the time saved for education or other productive activities.
Energy-efficient cookers enable fuel savings of 35% to 50% compared to conventional metal cookers. The project thus contributes to a general increase in energy efficiency in Uganda.
The cookers are manufactured and sold locally, creating regional added value and securing jobs. The project creates over 230 jobs in production and over 900 jobs in sales.
The project reduces unsustainable timber harvesting and charcoal production and thus contributes to the conservation of timber resources in order to avoid conflicts between the communities in the project region.
Compared to conventional cooking methods, the cookers distributed as part of the project are significantly more efficient and help to avoid CO2 emissions. The reduction in emissions is around 750,000 tonnes of CO2 per year (based on the project scope in 2023).
The efficient cookers sustainably reduce the need for firewood and charcoal, thereby helping to protect the forest ecosystem. This also effectively prevents the risk of erosion.
Other ways to engage
Our two favorite projects, PROJECT TOGO and Deutschland Plus, offer you numerous opportunities to actively contribute to climate protection - far beyond CO2 offsetting.
