At the UN conference in Paris a couple weeks ago the world unanimously committed to its first universal and legally-binding climate deal. The agreement establishes a framework for countries to set targets, report results, and redouble their commitment over time to aggressively lower carbon emissions. It is anticipated that many developing countries will recognize the importance of clean household energy as part of their national plans. At this point, however, financing sources and policy mechanisms to promote clean cooking in Guatemala remain limited.
In search of novel funding streams, Ahuyu entered into a partnership in 2015 that rewards our distribution of clean cookstoves with carbon credits. You may have come across the voluntary carbon trading market when given the option to offset the carbon footprint of your air travel, for example. Through this market we are now able to monetize the carbon offsets achieved by our clean cookstove program. The proceeds will help to improve the sustainability of our operations. In 2015 Ahuyu also added the Ecofiltro to our clean household technology program. The Ecofiltro, which purifies 1-2 liters of drinking water per hour and reduces 99% of pathogens, fulfills an important demand of our program participants and advances our mission to promote clean living environments. Besides reducing gastrointestinal disease, the water filter also minimizes indoor smoke by replacing the practice of boiling drinking water. As such we are able to earn carbon credits for the distribution of water filters as well. | Photos from the distribution of 25 stoves and water filters at Finca San Jerónimo Miramar, Guatemala. Dec 2015. |
Among the most common benefits cited by the participants in our program is that a clean cookstove saves money. Fuelwood is expensive in the Sololá region of Guatemala; families that earn $3 per day may spend up to $1 daily on wood. Reducing fuel use by 65%, the efficient cookstove helps families escape the trap of energy poverty. At the same time, the efficient stove reduces the unsustainable wood harvest and helps keep carbon stored in the forest. What these families are accomplishing at the household-level is a prime example of the sort of energy efficiency gains that the world must make at large to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Please make a contribution to support our clean household energy fund to help reduce carbon emissions, fight energy poverty, and support the health and well-being of resource poor Guatemalan families.
Another way to support our work is to purchase the stunning Guatemala Wrap Watch by La Mer Collections. The beaded portion of the watch is made by our partners at Kixjo Artisans. The collection now includes 11 unique designs and rose to the fourth most popular product on TOMS Marketplace in 2015. Proceeds from the watch support Ahuyu and the livelihoods of our women artisan partners who work on a daily basis to make the stove program a reality.
Happy holidays and thanks your for your support!
Please make a contribution to support our clean household energy fund to help reduce carbon emissions, fight energy poverty, and support the health and well-being of resource poor Guatemalan families.
Another way to support our work is to purchase the stunning Guatemala Wrap Watch by La Mer Collections. The beaded portion of the watch is made by our partners at Kixjo Artisans. The collection now includes 11 unique designs and rose to the fourth most popular product on TOMS Marketplace in 2015. Proceeds from the watch support Ahuyu and the livelihoods of our women artisan partners who work on a daily basis to make the stove program a reality.
Happy holidays and thanks your for your support!