Nearly 3 billion people in the developing world cook food and heat their homes with traditional cookstoves or open fires. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 estimates that 4 million premature deaths occur every year due to smoke exposure from these methods. In fact, this is the fifth worst risk factor for disease in developing countries and women and children are the most affected.

This partnership project between ClimateCare and Relief International, introduces the Gyapa, an insulated and efficient cookstove, to families in Ghana. The Gyapa stove cooks food more quickly, requires 50-60% less fuel and is less smoky. As such it not only cuts carbon emissions, but also improves health by reducing exposure to toxic fumes.

Cutting fuel requirements saves families money and importantly, protects Ghana’s dwindling forests – Ghana has one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa.

The project also creates jobs and develops skills. The liners are made by a small group of accredited local ceramicists who have received specialist training. The metal claddings are made by a further group of accredited manufacturers. The project provides training and quality control services and supports marketing and distribution of the stoves through a wide network of nationwide retailers.

Call the ClimateCare team now to support this project by purchasing Gold Standard Carbon Credits. +44(0)1865 591000 or email business@climatecare.org

Project impacts and benefits:

• Cuts fuel costs: 4.1 million people have saved more than $75 million so far.
• Improves Health: The Gyapa reduces exposure to hazardous air pollutants improving the health of the cooks, typically mothers and children
• Slows deforestation: By reducing the demand for wood, Gyapa Stoves are helping to protect precious forests.
• Local economy: The stoves provide additional income to businesses within the Gyapa supply chain – the stoves are locally manufactured and specialist skills are developed
• Scale and Impact: As of June 2015 831, 386 Gyapa Stoves have been sold across Ghana, generating a savings of nearly 2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and making the Gyapa the top selling Gold Standard fuel efficient stove in the world.
• Employment generation: Through the production and manufacturing chain highly skilled ceramists and metal artisans have a guaranteed employment for their manufacturing services.
• Currently, over 13,000 stoves are produced and sold each month by more than 350 manufacturers. In addition, more than 500 local retailers benefit from selling the Gyapa stove.

The project is located in Ghana and the towns of Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Cape Coast, Winneba and Tema with extensions out towards the provincial towns.