The project has contributed to green house gas mitigation and deforestation reduction by reducing fire wood consumption by up to 70 % in 100 schools and several universities and prisons.
An international workshop organised today in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, presented the excellent results gained in the project “Promotion of Energy Efficient Cooking in Social Institutions in Ethiopia”. It also confirmed that the activity is exactly in line with the Ethiopian Government’s Climate Resilience and Green Growth initiative, and explored ways to scale-up the project into other regions in Ethiopia.
Gaia’s project demonstrates tangible results in reducing of wood consumption, and inspires for further activities in the field. The project activities have included training of stove producers, measuring GHG emissions caused by cooking, environmental education material production and a study on the climate effects and mitigation potential of cooking in social institutions in Ethiopia, all contributing to sustainable and climate resilient development in the country.
“The project has received very positive feedback from all stakeholders, and the large potential of improving energy efficiency in social institutions has now been truly recognized in Ethiopia, thanks to our project”, says Hilawe Lakew from Ethio Resource Group.
“Our project has been one of the first attempts to address the need for reducing fire wood consumption in social institutions in Ethiopia. Through the project, we have shown that very significant results can be achieved with relatively small resources if the activities target the whole value chain of energy efficient cooking”, states Pasi Rinne, Gaia’s Head of Board.
Ethiopia suffers from the effects of climate change through increased droughts, changed rain patterns and sudden heavy rains. Ethiopia is also affected by deforestation of approximately 1 410 000 hectares annually, caused mainly by unsustainable fuel wood collection. Cooking and baking represents 80% of the total energy consumption in Ethiopia. Households consume more than 62 million tons of wood annually. Social institutions, such as schools, universities, hospitals and prisons are also a significant consumer of wood biomass.
For further information:
- Pasi Rinne, Chairman of the Board, Gaia Group, tel. +41 79 472 6909
