At the end of September the 2nd Verification for the Meru South improved cook stoves project will take place. Meru South is one of thirteen districts located in the Eastern Province of Kenya, northeast of Mt Kenya with a population of approximately 250,000 people. In 2000, 72% of the population in Meru South lived below the poverty line.
CO2balance installed the first stove of the project activity on 14/03/2011. During last year, 994 cook stoves were distributed and a total of 8129 stoves since the project’s start in 2011. The local people have received stoves free of charge and have been directed in correct use of the stove by local community groups engaging with the project developers. In Meru South the improved cook stoves significantly reduce fuel consumption, by approximately 49%, resulting in an improved living environment for local people and reduced pressure on local forests, with approximately 17690 tonnes of wood saved only the last year. In addition, new employment opportunities have emerged related to the different phases and scopes of the project.
However, the most important fact is that by reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions from combustion of non-renewable biomass have been correspondingly reduced by 28,954 tCO2e the year 2013-2014. Moreover, CO2balance plans to distribute in total approximately 20,000 domestic wood-burning improved cook stoves in households within the project area in Meru South.
