Project details
1448 · Improved cookstoves
  • Countrywide, Uganda
Improved cookstoves reduce deforestation in Uganda

These project activities replace conventional and less efficient cookstoves in Uganda with improved cookstoves. Three objectives are being pursued: reducing fuel consumption, improving the health of the population in Uganda, and reducing deforestation.

More than 90 percent of households in Uganda use firewood or charcoal for cooking. Therefore, cooking with wood is one of the main reasons for deforestation in the country. Since the improved cookstoves distributed within this programme are much more efficient, they use significantly less wood. This not only saves CO2 emissions but also improves people's health by reducing indoor air pollution.

How improved cookstoves contribute to climate action

According to a statistic from the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) around a third of the global population still relies on un­safe and environmentally harmful cooking methods. This includes, for example, cooking over open fires or using polluting cooking fuels, such as coal or kerosene. Improved cookstoves tackle this problem by using thermal energy more efficiently. Depending on the model, an improved cookstove can reduce fuel consumption by up to 70 percent, which significantly saves CO2 emissions and can lower the pressure on local forests as less firewood needs to be harvested.

Improved cookstove projects allow the distribution of the - often simple - devices made from metal or clay to households, small enterprises or community facilities. Especially for households, this has an impact beyond the CO2 reduction: better indoor air quality decreases respiratory diseases and families can save time and money as less fuel is needed. Improved cookstoves projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.

Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
No PovertyThe project activities provide many people with clean cooking and access to new technologies, such as the improved cookstoves. As a result, less fuel has to be purchased, which in particular relieves financially disadvantaged families.
Good Health and Well-BeingIndoor air pollution, caused in particular by conventional stoves, is significantly reduced.
Gender EqualityThe efficient cookstoves save time on cooking and firewood collection. Since women are typically in charge of these tasks, they can invest the time saved in other activities.
Affordable and Clean EnergyThe available energy resources are used much more efficiently thanks to the clean, modern cooking technology.
Decent Work and Economic GrowthThe project will create jobs in marketing, sales and technical support.
Responsible Consumption and ProductionIn participating households, the use of non-renewable fuels is reduced by up to 50 percent, depending on the model of cookstove.
Climate ActionAs significantly less firewood is needed for the same cooking activities, CO2 emissions are avoided.
Life on LandThe project activities also reduce deforestation in the region as less firewood is consumed. Thus, the stress on the forest is reduced and the way towards sustainable forest management is paved.
Project standardGold Standard VER (GS VER)TechnologyImproved cookstovesRegionCountrywide, UgandaValidated byCarbon Check (India) Private Ltd.