- CDM project in Zambia: innovative cooking systems rely on biomass instead of charcoal
- Project avoids 1.5 million tons of CO2 emissions
- Niederaussem power plant adopts project
- RWE advocates boost for CDM in Copenhagen
Climate protection by way of highly efficient biomass stoves: Together with its partner organisations, RWE has launched a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project in Zambia. This is the first time a European energy company has been involved in a CDM project in southern Africa. The innovative cooking systems, which are financed by RWE, replace the environmentally damaging production and use of charcoal with sustainable biomass. In the first stage of the project, 1,500 local households in the capital city of Lusaka will be using these high-quality “Save80 cooking systems”. By the end of 2010, it is intended that 30,000 households in need and some 300,000 people will be using these innovative cooking systems.
 A family picking up twigs
The idea offers enormous benefits. Charcoal harbours health risks associated with the traditional methods of producing as well as burning it, and large areas of native forest in Zambia are felled for this purpose. The highly efficient cooker gets by with much less fuel than conventional wood stoves and replaces charcoal with sustainably produced biomass (twigs). Not only will the environment be spared some 1.5 million tons of CO2 by 2020, human health will be also be improved and the energy costs of local households will also be reduced in the process. In other words, they will benefit directly from making the change.
“CDM is an established and successful mechanism for financing climate protection and knowledge transfer. This tool should therefore be boosted and expanded“, explained Ludwig Kons, Head of Climate Protection at RWE Power. “With this pilot project in Lusaka, RWE is breaking new ground. The political will is there for Africa to play a greater role in CDM initiatives in the future. RWE is demonstrating the energy to lead in this respect and gaining valuable experience in southern Africa through its involvement in this project”.
 The cooking system is used for the first time
With a view to the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, Kons highlighted the need for a huge concerted effort to boost global climate change projects: “The decision makers in Copenhagen must set the necessary framework for such projects to be carried out on a long term basis. The boost given to CDM in the coalition agreement of the new German Federal Government is encouraging” said Kons, adding: “Now the right course must be set so that European companies like RWE can continue to invest in such international climate protection projects.”
The Lusaka project is being supported by a host of different partners. Among them are the Munich-based company Climate InterChange AG, its subsidiary Climate Management Ltd. in Lusaka, the Presbyterian Church of Africa in Zambia, plus 14 other churches in the capital city. Furthermore, the RWE power plant near Niederaussem with its adjacent Coal Innovation Centre is supporting this CDM project as part of a ‘plant adopts project’ arrangement. It will provide advice or assistance on matters of technology, logistics or forestry to those responsible. “Climate protection is a global issue that requires international and interdisciplinary cooperation. I am very pleased that one of our power plants has adopted this project, as it demonstrates the willingness of our staff to make a direct commitment themselves to climate protection”, explained Kons.
Klaus Trifellner, Director of Climate Management, also welcomed the cooperative venture. “Together with RWE, we have initiated a project that, in an ideal way, combines climate protection with improving the living conditions of local people. Thanks to the innovative technology of the “Save80 cooking system”, we can prevent further forests being felled to produce charcoal. This form of collaboration between a German energy provider and local organisations will lead the way for further climate protection projects throughout Africa.”
Bishop Frankson Kumwenda of the Presbyterian Church of Africa also expressed his delight at the level of cooperation and the wonderful opportunity: “We are very happy about this partnership with RWE and Climate Management. People are using the high-quality cookers with real enthusiasm. They no longer have the burden of spending so much on charcoal. This initiative will lead to a lasting improvement in the living conditions of the people of Lusaka.”
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