Carbon credits are still controversial, but a great story from Nigeria shows what an important role they can play to sustain development and increase social inclusion.
CarbonAi Inc and Greenplinth Africa Limited have announced a significant partnership aimed at launching a large-scale clean cookstove programme in Nigeria.
This initiative is set to distribute millions of clean cookstoves over the next five years, addressing critical issues such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and health risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
The displacement of traditional cooking methods generates carbon credits, that can be sold to finance the cookstove programme. Generating more carbon credits to buy – and distribute – more stoves.
In a nutshell
- Partnership Goals: CarbonAi will provide software tools for digital measurement, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas reductions.
- Impact on Households: The programme aims to improve the lives of millions, particularly women and children, by providing free clean cookstoves.
- Environmental Benefits: The initiative is expected to significantly reduce deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Innovative Technology: CarbonAi’s Spark tools will ensure high-integrity emission reductions and carbon credit generation.
The significance of clean cookstoves
Clean cookstoves are essential for sustainable development, especially in economically disadvantaged regions. Traditional open-fire cooking methods contribute to numerous health and environmental issues, including:
- Deforestation: The reliance on firewood for cooking leads to significant tree loss.
- Health Risks: Smoke from open fires is a major cause of respiratory illnesses, disproportionately affecting women and children.
- Gender Inequality: Women often bear the burden of collecting firewood and are more exposed to health risks from smoke.
By replacing traditional stoves with cleaner alternatives, the programme aims to alleviate these challenges.
The role of CarbonAi
CarbonAi’s Chief Carbon Officer, Yvan Champagne, emphasised the importance of confidence in the integrity of greenhouse gas reductions. The company’s innovative tools, particularly the Spark suite, are designed to provide accurate quantification and verification of emission reductions. This technology includes a proprietary stove use meter that monitors and measures the usage of clean cookstoves, ensuring that the claimed reductions are reliable.
Greenplinth Africa's vision
Dr Olawale Akinwumi, President and CEO of Greenplinth Africa, highlighted the transformative potential of providing free clean cookstoves. He stated that this initiative will significantly improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians, particularly those most affected by traditional cooking practices. The programme not only aims to enhance health and environmental outcomes but also seeks to empower women by reducing their workload and exposure to harmful smoke.
Financing through carbon credits
Carbon credits are a crucial financial mechanism that supports the development of clean energy projects. However, the credibility of many projects has been under scrutiny, making accurate measurement and verification essential for ongoing investment.
