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Project_Page_Thumbnail_Cookstoves_Uganda_UpEnergy

This project avoid an estimated {{x}} tonnes of emissions per year

Fuel-efficient cookstoves in Uganda

Around one-third of the world’s population still relies on hazardous cooking methods, such as burning charcoal, firewood, and animal dung. Excessive biomass burning amplifies greenhouse gas emissions, intensifying climate change. These emissions are not only environmentally harmful but also <a href="https://thorax.bmj.com/content/73/11/1026">compromise respiratory health,</a> generating indoor air pollution. Improved cookstoves have been linked to reduced Household Air Pollution (HAP), significantly lower particulate matter (PM) pollutants, and decreased indoor carbon monoxide (CO) levels Exposure to smoke contributes to millions of premature deaths annually.
Adding to the challenge is the lack of affordability and accessibility of modern cooking appliances and reliable energy sources in many developing economies, perpetuating environmental and social inequality. These cooking fuels are expensive and hinder financial independence, particularly of women who often bear the burden of household cooking needs. The urgency to address this challenge underscores the need for a just energy transition through community-based initiatives and global cooperation.
Clean cooking solutions offer hope by potentially transforming the lives of 2.3 billion people lacking access to safe, cleaner and more robust alternatives. Beyond contributing to emissions reductions, these solutions act as catalysts for positive socio-economic change. Concerted efforts in implementing community projects and sustainable initiatives are imperative for a global shift prioritising the well-being of people and of our planet.

UpEnergy, headquartered in Uganda, works in low income communities to fight climate change while providing affordable, life improving clean technologies that protect local environments and benefit households and communities across Africa. UpEnergy’s mission is to fight energy poverty and climate change with projects and technology that benefit those most vulnerable to climate risks.
UpEnergy established Community Carbon, an initiative that distributes subsidized, fuel-efficient charcoal cookstoves to thousands of families who lack access to other types of stove and cooking fuel.  At the heart of these projects is the belief that community investments are the greatest enablers of change, both for the planet and for its inhabitants. That is why Community Carbon’s projects extend beyond emissions reductions to the addition of tangible co-benefits designed to further stimulate community development and well-being.
The Community Carbon stove is incredibly durable lasting at least 5 years, and delivers multiple benefits to individual families and communities across the country: 
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<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">One fuel efficient cookstove will reduce daily household charcoal consumption by 45% – 55% thanks to improved thermal efficiency.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">This saves households annual fuel expenditures that can then be repurposed for other priorities such as education and health.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cookstoves are 100% locally manufactured creating employment and stimulating the local economy throughout the supply chain</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cuts cooking time; reduces trips to fetch cooking fuel and time saved can be used for productive activities e.g. education and income generation.</li>
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Community Carbon projects don’t just reduce emissions—they also deliver empowering co-benefits that combat energy poverty, safeguard local ecosystems, and foster community growth. That is why the project goes even further with a dedicated impact, independent fund – the Climate Resilience Impact Fund. This fund receives a portion of the payments received for emissions reductions and channels it into high-impact programs that empower and uplift women and girls, recognising that while women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate disasters, they also possess incredible potential to drive positive change in combating climate change.
In 2023/24, the fund focuses its investments on high-impact programs that prioritise the education and empowerment of women and girls. That is why, today, the fund is actively backing projects such as <a href="https://street-child.org/explore/uganda/">Street Child Uganda</a> and <a href="https://ageafrica.org/">Advancing Girls’ Education in Africa</a>, both operate within communities involved in Community Carbon’s clean cooking and safe water initiatives.

This project is verified by the Gold Standard. You can view it on the Gold Standard Registry <a href="https://registry.goldstandard.org/projects/details/2926" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
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Improved clean cookstoves can address the pollution from burning wood or biomass in traditional stoves. Using various technologies, they reduce emissions and protect human health.
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Around the world, 3 billion people cook over open fires or on rudimentary stoves. As these burn, often inside homes or in areas with limited ventilation, they release plumes of smoke and soot liable for 4.3 million premature deaths each year. Traditional cooking practices also produce 2 to 5 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
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A wide range of “improved” cookstove technologies exists, with a wide range of impacts on emissions. Advanced biomass stoves are the most promising. By forcing gases and smoke from incomplete combustion back into the stove’s flame, some cut emissions by an incredible 95 percent.
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Improved clean cookstoves

uganada-2

Uganada 2

uganda

Fuel-efficient cookstoves in Uganda

Context

Project

Verification

Climate solution

Improved clean cookstoves

Photos

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Project location: Uganda

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