Boiling Point 58, April 2010
Using carbon finance to introduce LPG stoves into Northern Darfur, Sudan
Full-text: http://www.hedon.info/BP58:UsingCarbonFinanceToIntroduceLPGStovesIntoSudan
by Hashim Eltayeb
This project operates in El Fashir town, North Darfur, approximately 1,200 km west-southwest of Khartoum. The area suffers from desertification and drought, creating serious shortages of firewood. Conflict has contributed to energy shortages. The population comprises of 198,391 local residents and 29,645 internally displaced people, the majority of which earn a low income.
This project is providing modern Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stoves to replace traditional three-stone fires, through carbon financing. The concept behind carbon finance is that individuals and companies in the industrialised world voluntarily fund greenhouse gas reductions in developing countries to compensate for their own climate change pollution. Carbon Clear Limited has provided support to enable poor households to afford the high upfront cost of LPG sets.
Supported by Practical Action, the programme is administered by local women’s legalised & registered groups – the project is carried out by the community for the community. Over 2,416 stoves have been disseminated, with positive results. Greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced, and reduced indoor air pollution is improving health and quality of life. It is contributing to environmental conservation by saving woodfuel; and to reducing the vulnerability that women face while collecting fuel wood outside of town.
