Fuel efficient stove projects get offset "gold standard" approval

Carbon offset projects based on the distribution of fuel efficient cooking stoves in the developing world can expect a major boost after a methodology for measuring carbon savings from such schemes was approved by the international offsetting "Gold Standard".

The methodology, which was developed by carbon offset firm JPMorgan ClimateCare, sets out best practices for collecting and reporting emission reduction data from stove-based projects. Firms following this methodology can now expect to have their credits approved under the WWF-backed "Gold Standard".

Cooking stove-based projects have been the source of considerable controversy in recent years with the UN's various carbon offsetting schemes refusing to recognise such projects as an accredited source of carbon credits. This is due to concerns over how emission reductions from necessarily dispersed and small scale projects can be verified.

Such schemes, which gain a large chunk of their carbon savings by reducing the amount of wood that is burnt for cooking, have also fallen foul of the UN's current refusal to recognise "avoided deforestation" as a viable source of credits.

ClimateCare's Michael Buick insisted that the new methodology addressed these concerns.

"The methodology we've developed is both robust and conservative," he said, adding that the calculations also account for rates of deforestation in the region the project is taking place.

Supporters of stove projects insist they represent a valid means of curbing emissions, arguing that the technology has the potential to cut emissions by 100 million tonnes in Africa alone.

"One in three people worldwide still cook on biomass and a more efficient stove can reduce the amount of wood they use by between a third and a half," said Buick. "When you consider that these stoves cost just $5 (£2.50) or $6 each they are a very cost-effective means of cutting emissions that also delivers significant health benefits for the people using them."

He added that the company was now hopeful that Gold Standard approval would make such schemes increasingly attractive to firms and other organisations seeking to invest in offset credits.

In related news, UK charity Mercy Corps has revealed it will next month launch a carbon offsetting service designed to invest in projects that simultaneously curb carbon emissions and tackle poverty in the developing world.

The charity said that one of the first projects supported by the Cool Carbon initiative will be a fuel-efficient stove project in the Democratic Republic of Congo designed to reduce the distances women have to walk to collect wood and also help slow rates of deforestation.