Across Guatemala using traditional open fires for cooking poses a massive problem for many families – they generate high amounts of indoor pollution causing health issues mainly among women and children, and use large amounts of wood, putting pressure on forests and on families’ budget.
The project provides high-quality, affordable cookstoves and water purification devices to families in rural and peri-urban areas of Guatemala. As well as having a small chimney to take any harmful smoke out of the house, the cookstove is designed so that traditional meals such as tortillas, beans and large dishes can be cooked on it. The water filter device eliminates the need to boil water to purify it, instead, a ceramic filter removes pathogens. It can store up to 20 litres – plenty for the daily use of a family of four. Carbon finance helps to ensure that the technology reaches those who need it most, firstly by subsidising the cost of the devices so families can afford the initial investment and by developing sustainable distribution networks by working with local NGOs and sales channels.
This holistic project significantly improves the health of Guatemalans, mainly women and children who are often responsible for cooking, both by reducing the amount of harmful smoke that is inhaled and also by increasing access to safe water. Thanks to the improved efficiency of the stoves not only are GHG emissions reduced but for families, the impact can be life-changing: helping them save almost 500 USD a year on fuel costs. Creating less demand for firewood means the cookstoves and water filters also spell good news for surrounding forests and local wildlife.
To learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals verified by the standard for this project, please check the registry link.
