Carbon credits

Donate solar cookers 2009 — You can now donate solar cookers to offset your own carbon emissions.

The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a collaborative effort of nations growing out of the Convention on Climate Change (Rio, 1992), extended in 1995 in Berlin, and finalized into action in Kyoto in 1999. From 2000 onward, the CDM has functioned as a framework for cooperation between developed countries that need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and developing states, some of which are engaging in work to reduce emissions, literally around the world. Nations providing financial support to those activities, even if not within their borders, are granted "credit" towards meeting their own emission-reduction goals. Only a portion of the required reduction of states party to the Kyoto Protocol can be met in this way, and strict criteria apply. The mechanism has substantial potential for the solar cooking movement. To take advantage of this opportunity, promoters must become substantially more knowledgeable about the potential, and the steps necessary to initiate such agreements. U.S. citizens are disadvantaged here in a sense, since our nation has not chosen to sign the Kyoto agreement and hence American manufacturers have no legal obligation to reduce emission, (though common sense - and certainly most environmentalists - suggest they should be doing so anyway).

News and recent developments

Kyoto Twist card — Former slaves in Mali, these women have found new hope with the help of the Kyoto Twist Solar Cooking Society

November 2010: Jack Anderson, Program Coordinator for the Kyoto Twist Solar Cooking Society, reports that 2010 has been a productive year. Including the implementation of four new projects in three countries: Bolivia, Tanzania, and two in Mali. Working in areas where deforestation is extreme, their efforts have focussed on introducing the Integrated Cooking approach, which includes using a solar panel cooker, heat retained cooking basket, and an efficient wood/charcoal stove when necessary.
October 2010: Annapurna Circuit trip uses Blue Ventures Carbon Offset to offset the carbon produced by the trip.
April 2010: World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth - Thousands of grass root organizations, politicians, intellectuals, scientists and individuals will debate about climate change next week, April 19th-22nd, in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Discussion will include black carbon emissions and the practical solutions that are available to tackle them.Conference Information...
November 2009: Solar Cooker System as “Most Meaningful Carbon Offset” Campaign Launched - Solar Cookers International

November 2009: South African Rugby Union purchases credits from solar stove in Soweto - Interpress Service

October 2009: Mass-market U.N. carbon scheme finds favor in India - Reuters

September 2009: Kenya: Carbon Manna Unlimited to Help Kenyan Farmers Sell Carbon Credits in Rich Countries - Micro Capital

March 2009: Proposed CDM projects would distribute 34,000 solar cookers in China - Solar Cooker Review

August 2008: For many years, Fundación EcoAndina has promoted the concept of solar villages in Jujuy province. Among its accomplishments is the distribution of over 250 solar cookers for family use, 23 solar kitchens for community use, and a number of solar water heating and irrigation devices. Fundación EcoAndina recently partnered with WISIONS, an initiative of the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, to “develop a strategy for the optimal use of carbon credits to make solar equipment affordable for the users.” The initial step is to use new technology to monitor 50 solar cookers in a field test and assess their CO2 reductions. According to its Web site, Fundación EcoAndina hopes to “develop local human capacity to handle the carbon market,” and to “build an effective incentive structure for the correct and constant use of solar applications.”

November 2007: Jakarta officials plan to reduce kerosene consumption by distributing 30,000 parabolic solar cookers as part of a Clean Development Mechanism project, according to a recent Jakarta Post article by Adianto P. Simamora. The pilot phase of the project will take place in Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands) regency, where sunshine is plentiful. As reported in the article, “Jakarta consumes about 2.7 million liters of kerosene a day. A family using one liter of kerosene per day emits two tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year.” Kerosene is available to consumers at a state-subsidized price of Rp. 2,000 per liter (about $0.22). “The solar cookers will be provided for free by German company EnerXi GMbh to support the city’s attempts to take part in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project,” writes Simamora. Through CDM projects, developing countries can earn Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) based on the resulting amount of CO2 reduction. (One CER is equivalent to one ton of CO2.) To help meet Kyoto Protocol targets, developed countries can then purchase CERs from developing countries. According to the article, the price of one CER is between $5-10. The article is available on the Jakarta Post Web site at http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20070523.C04