We are proud to present the latest addition to the number of climate projects we support: Efficient Cookstoves in Burkina Faso. The project is certified by Gold Standard and contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and improving living conditions for the people of Burkina Faso.
Why is this project important?
In Burkina Faso, biomass and firewood are the primary fuels used for cooking, especially in rural areas. This leads to rapid deforestation and exposes local communities to harmful smoke from inefficient stoves. This project contributes to:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the demand for firewood and therefore counteracts deforestation.
- Improving indoor air quality and decreasing the risk of respiratory diseases.
- Strengthen local communities by providing training in using and producing efficient stoves, which also creates local job opportunities.
How does the project work?
The project operates through two main strategies:
- Education and production – Local communities learn how to build and use more efficient stoves that require less firewood.
- Subsidized sales – Financial support makes it easier for households to afford efficient stoves.
Through these efforts, both fuel costs and the negative environmental impact are reduced.
Background
Burkina Faso is classified as one of the world’s least developed countries. Like many other underdeveloped nations, it is increasingly affected by the negative consequences of climate change.
At the same time, severe deforestation is taking place in the country. Firewood resources have been overexploited for a long time, and 105,000 hectares of forest disappear annually. Between 1980 and 2000, the total forest area shrank from 15.42 million hectares to 11.29 million hectares.
Deforestation is mainly caused by the consumption of firewood and charcoal. In Burkina Faso, firewood and charcoal account for 85.6% of energy consumption, while 5.2% comes from agricultural residues, 8.2% from fossil fuels, and only 1% from electricity. A significant portion of the population currently uses inefficient cooking methods that require large amounts of firewood.
Traditional cooking methods also have a negative impact on public health. According to the WHO, smoke from household cooking is the fourth-largest contributing factor to diseases in Africa.
The goal of this project is to combat poverty and desertification in Burkina Faso while reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
The project contributes to several global sustainability goals
This project supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here’s a summary of how the goals are met:
SDG 13 – Climate Action
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient stoves.
SDG 1 – No Poverty
Helps reduce extreme poverty by lowering household fuel costs.
Increases access to essential services and resources, including new technologies.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Reduces indoor air pollution, which contributes to a decrease in illnesses and deaths caused by hazardous air pollution.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
Promotes technical and vocational skills through training in the use and production of energy-efficient stoves.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
Recognizes and reduces unpaid household labor by making cooking more efficient.
Promotes women’s participation and influence through access to improved technology and economic opportunities.
Empowers women by reducing the time and effort needed for firewood collection.
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensures increased access to modern, clean, and affordable energy solutions.
Encourages the use of energy-efficient stoves and reduces dependence on firewood as fuel.
SDG 15 – Life on Land
Protects and restores forests by reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.