Progress report for
Canon Medical Systems Ltd. Carbon Offset Scheme
Achievement at a glance
Since 2014, Canon Medical Systems Ltd. Carbon Offset Scheme has supported the distribution of over 4500 fuel-efficient cookstoves in Kenya, and the provision of 18,300,000 litres of safe, clean water by repairing boreholes in Uganda. In Kenya, the improved cookstoves have resulted in over 24,000 people benefiting from reduced household air pollution, 14,000 of which are children. As a result of these activities, an estimated 7,900 cases of respiratory illness are predicted to have been avoided. In Uganda, 8300 people have benefited from clean water, 4600 of which are children. In total, the projects have prevented the emission of over 29,000tCO2e and saved over 22,000 tonnes of wood.Challenges faced in implementation
Project developers, CO2balance, work in remote rural communities to deliver these impacts, so it is often challenging for field staff to travel to, and visit, communities, especially during the rainy season. These issues compound the challenge of maintenance, should boreholes require maintenance or stoves suffer usage damage. These challenges however, are overcome by laying highly effective maintenance systems in both Uganda and Kenya, ensuring that should any issues arise, the communities can contact implementers and resolve the issue.Next Steps
The Canon Medical Systems Ltd. Carbon Offset Scheme, and partners CO2balance, will continue to provide safe, clean water to rural communities in Uganda, and clean cooking to rural households in Kenya. Maintenance programmes are ongoing ensuring any damages are rapidly fixed.Beneficiaries
Rural communities of central Uganda and central Kenya.
Actions
Since 2014 approximately 4,500 households in Kenya benefited from possession of an improved cookstove (approximately 24,400 people), saving c.22,204 tonnes of wood. Alongside the environmental and health benefits discussed above, an energy-efficient stove results in households spending less money and/or time collecting fuel, reducing ‘time-poverty’ (particularly amongst women) and improving their daily lives. Lastly, with less wood burned for cooking, household air pollution has substantially decreased, reducing health conditions attributable to indoor smoke by an estimated 7,900 cases.In Uganda, 8,300 people have benefited from the provision of 18,300,000 litres of safe, clean water. Alongside the respiratory benefits discussed above, this has drastically reduced the prevalence of water-borne diseases in their communities.