Progress report for
Toshiba CarbonZero Scheme
Achievement at a glance
Since 2009, Toshiba CarbonZero Scheme has supported the distribution of over 10,443 fuel-efficient cookstoves in Kenya, and the repair of over 156 boreholes in Uganda.In Kenya this has resulted in over 39,685 people benefiting from reduced household air pollution and a total of 108,000 days saved (otherwise spent collecting wood), saving c.190,800 tonnes of wood, protecting 548.28ha from deforestation.
In Uganda, 76,237 people have benefited from the provision of 208,699,802 litres of safe, clean water., This has drastically reduced the prevalence of water-borne diseases in their communities by an estimated 1,304 cases, preventing an estimated 104 deaths.
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 Toshiba CarbonZero 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
In Kenya, 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. The Kenya stove projects have saved a total of 125,320 days otherwise spent collecting fuel. Lastly, household air pollution has substantially decreased, reducing health conditions attributable to indoor smoke by an estimated 39,685 cases.In Uganda, the project raises awareness of the harms of gender-based violence, promoting open dialogue within the communities to ensure that it is understood and dispelled from the level of community leaders. Since the project started, no women have reported incidents of domestic violence related to water collection, compared to 35% prior to the project. And borehole users have reported an 85% reduction in incidents of bullying, intimidation and assault during water collection since their boreholes were rehabilitated.
To ensure the benefits mentioned so far are sustainable, the projects which co2balance implement include annual awareness campaigns, user training (cookstoves) and WASH training (boreholes). This ensures that communities are fully aware and sensitized of the project technologies. Furthermore, communities are able to reach out to local NGO partners and CO2balance if any issues arise through local community leaders.