A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley, has shed light on a significant overestimation of carbon savings attributed to the distribution of efficient cookstoves in developing countries.
The fastest-growing offset type on the global carbon market involves subsidizing the distribution of these stoves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the study found that the carbon-saving credits associated with these cookstoves are overestimated by a factor of 10.
This discrepancy not only jeopardizes efforts to counteract carbon emissions for climate change mitigation but also impacts the credibility of the carbon market.
Efficient cookstoves have gained popularity as a means to address both environmental and health concerns.
Approximately 2.4 billion people worldwide rely on smoky solid fuels or kerosene for cooking, contributing to millions of premature deaths annually and accounting for about 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The distribution of efficient cookstoves, therefore, represents a critical intervention to improve both health outcomes and reduce carbon footprints.
However, the study’s findings indicate that carbon registries may be overestimating the emission reductions associated with cookstove projects.
The researchers compared five methodologies for evaluating these emission reductions and found that the estimates were significantly inflated, posing a challenge to the effectiveness of carbon offset programs. Carbon offset credits from such projects are used by companies to meet climate targets and market products as “carbon neutral.”
The overestimation issue arises from the methodologies adopted by carbon registries, which define the criteria for projects eligible for carbon offset credits and how emissions impacts should be estimated.
Cookstove project developers are responsible for adhering to these methodologies, and the resulting carbon credits are vital for companies seeking to achieve carbon neutrality.
The study’s lead author, Annelise Gill-Wiehl, emphasized that the quality issues in cookstove offset methodologies need urgent attention and revision.
The findings recommend aligning these methodologies with current scientific understanding and progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
To address these challenges, the study proposes specific recommendations for buyers and developers in the carbon offset market. The researchers advise buyers to prioritize projects that distribute stoves meeting the World Health Organization’s health standards.
Moreover, the study introduces a rigorous method for assessing offset quality, which could be employed by offset program developers, regulators, and credit assessors to prevent overcrediting across various project types.
