STUDY ON OPPORTUNITIES ON ICS DISSEMINATION IN ASIA

SNV supported the above study, which is being implemented by ARECOP, GERES and CRT. The study is being carried out in Cambodia, Lao, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The study was conducted in conjuntion with SNV’s strategy for poverty reduction through capacity building in two “impact areas” – water sanitation and renewable energy – improved cookstove being a potential component of the later.

The overall objective of the study is:

• To explore the opportunities for SNV to successfully support the dissemination of improved domestic cooking and space heating stoves through commercial and non-commercial dissemination strategies in Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam;
• To propose a financially feasible business model that clearly provides the added value SNV capacity development services and results in substantial outreach and impact

The study will  focus on different aspects of improved stove program implemented as well as project future household energy situations in relation to demand for ICS in the 6 countries. The study shall then provide recommendations for SNV’s strategic roles in the provision of service and other forms of support for improved stove based interventions in in the 6 countries.

ARECOP Country Contact Points Meeting

ARECOP will be holding the annual meeting of ARECOP CCPs from March 22-25, 2008 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.   The meeting will review progress of the national networks in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia, Srilanka, Nepal, Philippines and Vietnam. During the meeting, ARECOP Secretariat and CCPs will also present and discuss consolidated plan for the continuation of the regional and the national level networks beyond 2008, after the termination of ARECOP Phase III.

Walking before running: Affordable Technologies for Poverty Alleviation & Climate Change Mitigation.

Pioneercarbon-Geres Cambodia will present a side event during the COP/MOP 13 (Bali, Indonesia), Affordable Technologies for Poverty Alleviation and Climate Change Mitigation.

The side event will take place on 6^th December 2007. Agenda for the side events are:

• Launcing of Carbon Solidarity Asia (CSA). CSA is  co-operative of grassroots and national organizations from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The CSA exists to ensure a high quality emissions reductions for buyers and equitable financing for local project developers.      
• Roundtable. Affordable energy solutions for clean development pathways

For more information: www.geres-cambodia.org

Relevant News: Low Cost Solution Helps 2.5 billion people

2008 ETHOS Conference, Kirkland, Washington, USA, January 25-27

Engineeers in Technical and Humanitarian Opportunities of Services organized the annual Conference, which discusses stove program development internationally.  The 2008 ETHOS conference aims to expand its reach from previous annual meetings, encouraging participation of Southern partners, international stove experts, and development specialists with field experience in the transfer of cooking technologies. To register, visit http://www.vrac.iastate.edu/ethos/conference.php

Conference Themes

·                     Lab research, including: insulative materials, efficiency testing, emissions monitoring, safety updates and design issues, gasifier advances, hayboxes/insulative cookers, solar cookers.

·                     Field experience, including monitoring of: performance, indoor air pollution exposure, health impacts, user satisfaction, time and socio-economic impacts; awareness raising; stove promotion; involvement of volunteers and local universities; lessons and modification to approaches.

·                     Efficiency versus effectiveness, and resulting design implications.

·                     Technology standards: key parameters, constraints.

·                     Policy issues: role of U.S. partnerships and international donors, country-level leadership, subsidies versus commercialization.

Online e-conference 9-23 January 2008: Special Interest Group on Cooking and Carbon (Carbon SIG)

P.I.N WORKSHOP (Brief Report) September 3-7, 2007, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

INTRODUCTION

Carbon finance presents an opportunity to access funding to reduce the negative social,

economic and environmental impacts of traditional biomass use and, in doing so, contribute to the wider goal of integrating sustainable development and climate change.

The international carbon market is new and growing rapidly. Within this new market the

methodologies and rules for the inclusion of improved stove projects are being developed on the basis of precedent with just a few projects piloting various methodologies and developing tools that other stove project developers can use. Although there remain problematic aspects, and it is fairly complicated, it has been successfully demonstrated that stove projects can generated carbon finance and there is nothing to stop other projects from doing the same.

Nevertheless, in terms of carbon finance stove projects present a unique set of

challenges. The workshop discussed these challenges in relation to the requirements of

baseline scenarios, additionality, emissions reductions calculations and monitoring. By

outlining the solutions used by GERES Cambodia the workshop looked at how these

measures might apply or be adapted to the project proposals of the participants.

However, carbon finance is not automatically relevant for all stove projects. The fixed

costs of obtaining carbon finance are high. This means that there are threshold limits below which projects should not seek to obtain carbon finance. During the course of the workshop two factors emerged as especially relevant in this regard.

Firstly, proposed project activities should carefully consider the number of stove units

disseminated. In order to cover the fixed costs for obtaining carbon finance, projects should be above a certain size threshold. In this respect project developers need to think big and adjust to the mind set that financing can be results driven.

Secondly, is the issue of the non-renewability of biomass. Projects need to be able to

provide robust evidence that the biomass used in the project activity is non-renewable. The proportions of non-renewable and renewable fuels affect the viability of proposed projects. This is because only the non-renewable component can generate emission reductions. For example a project activity might propose to disseminate a large number of efficient cooking stoves but if the fuel used is largely renewable then the resulting emissions reductions will be quite small.

Project Idea Notes (PIN) are a first step in the journey towards obtaining carbon finance.

They can allow project developers to evaluate their projects viability, identify gaps in the

project design, attract potential investors, proceed towards completion of a PDD and

ultimately issuance of emissions reduction. The issuance of emission reductions may help break the glass ceiling of dependence on donors and short term funding cycles.

This journey may seem daunting at first. However, the establishment of a cooperative to assist project developers and share knowledge will build capacity and enable us to help each other along the way.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the training were:

• Production of a completed PIN for each project participant

• Provide thorough explanation and knowledge of concepts, structure and purpose of a

PIN.

• Field trip to visit carbon finance projects in Cambodia.

• Launch pad to a Project Design Document. Participants will have a clear list of next

steps and further research.

• ESTABLISH channels for reporting progress and information sharing as the ‘first wave’

of pioneering biomass projects develop towards obtaining carbon finance.

• Provide more insights to participants into the carbon markets

PARTICIPANTS

Participants came from 8 different countries and represented 10 organizations working on cooking stove programs in six countries across Asia.

TRAINING PERSONNEL

The workshop was designed and conducted by the Climate Change Unit (CCU) of GERES Cambodia, with additional input from Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The CCU has experience with both improved cooking stove project and carbon finance. GERES Cambodia has pioneered an approach to obtaining carbon finance. In May 2007 GERES Cambodia’s New Lao Stove project was verified according to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS). The trainers from GERES Cambodia were as follows:

1. Mr. Iwan BASKORO Country Director GERES Cambodia

2. Mr. Samuel BRYAN Carbon Technology Analyst GERES Cambodia

3. Ms. Kimberly BUSS Carbon Offset Analyst GERES Cambodia

4. Mr. Ming Coung LE QUAN, Manager, Climate Change Unit GERES Cambodia

Additional resource person for the training was, Mr. Lai Chee KUONG of Det Norske Veritas’ (DNV) - Climate Change Services. (DNV) is a leading CDM validation/verification body. It is the chair of the DOE group upon the CDM Executive Board and has over 100 trained GHG auditors in 300 offices worldwide.

WORKSHOP ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

The workshop design broadly followed the structure of a walk through of a Project Idea Note (PIN) template, through presentations by resource personnel, panel discussions and field visits. However, a key objective was to prepare participants to progress further in the carbon project cycle. Therefore certain topics were elaborated on beyond the information required for a PIN.

Participants were required to undertake preparatory work by completing a draft PIN for their proposed project activity. Each participant was assigned to a panel working group to:

• Discuss the draft PINs

• Apply the concepts and information provided over the course of the workshop

• Identify information and research gaps

• Make recommendations of next steps for the project activities

Through the workshop process, participants are trained in developing PIN document and are prepared to develop the project in further stages in the carbon finance project cycle.

In order to prepare participants for further stages of  project development, the workshop also provided participants with:

• presentation and discussion of key concepts such as non-renewable biomass, baselines and additionality
• presentation from the point of view of verifier of projects
• exercise on emission reduction calculations
• information on financing needs for project design
• study visits to stove producers
• presentation and discussion on project monitoring system

SUMMARY OF WORKSHOP

1. Presentation and discussion on International Carbon Trading and the Voluntary Market

This session provided background information and placed cooking stove projects in the

context of the emerging international voluntary market in emissions reductions.

2. Introduction to the PIN workshop

The second session narrowed the focus to situating the role of PINs in the context of the

carbon project cycle.

3. Introduction of Participants’ Projects

Participants with potential projects were asked to prepare a short presentation to introduce their projects. A summary of the projects is given in the table below.

a. Generating Sustainable Livelihoods through renewable charcoal, Appropriate Rural Technology Institute (ARTI), India

Replacing non renewable cooking fuels (LPG, kerosene, nonrenewable wood and charcoal, etc.) by a renewable one (renewable charcoal made from waste biomass).

b. ICS and KI for palm sugar producers raising their health and livelihood, Pelangi, Indonesia

The project will focus on replacing for about 2100 inefficient traditional palm sugar stoves with more efficient (improved) palm sugar stoves. Technically the proposed improved cookstoves with thermal efficiency of 20-25% can reduce fuel wood consumption by 9%.

c. Improved Cookstove Project, SKG SANGHA, India

A two pot stove with 30% efficiency with a chimney pipe to take away the smoke from the house. By adopting this stove a woman can save 50% of her cooking and collection of fire wood time and 50% of the fuel wood. Women have spare time to take care of their children and their education. Rural youth are engaged in the project activity and this will create employment to them and check migration to urban areas

d.Reduction of Exposure to Indoor Air pollution through Introducing Improved Cook stove and Kitchen Improvement.” Village Education Resource Center, Bangladesh

Different ICS models will be introduced for different income group households. Range of technology options will be developed in collaboration with catalysts and users in a

participatory manner. This will enable the households to choose the suitable technology options to meet their needs according to affordably status. Demonstration through installation and models demonstration centers will help the technology promotion process

e. Reduction of Indoor Air pollution through Introducing Improved Cook stove (ICS) in rural Vietnam, Vietnam Women Union

To disseminate ICS to rural Vietnam in – order to (1) reduce air pollution in rural Vietnamese kitchen (2) Improve practice of household energy use, (3) improve health condition for women and girl

f. Biomass stoves in the hills and mountains of Central Region of Nepal. AEPC/ESAP

The project is a part of the phase II National Biomass Program. Phase II aims to disseminate the improved stove in southern plains called Terai and high hill areas in the North of Nepal. The primary objective of ESAP II will be expediting mass dissemination of improved biomass stoves. Additional objectives are: to commercialize biomass energy, technologies, improve capacity of local organizations to implement, clean biomass energy technologies, to create increased awareness among rural masses

in clean and efficient biomass technologies.

g. Introduction of improved cookstove (ICS) to rural households of Cambodia, CEDAC/ WENetCam

Baby Samaki stove (2 pothole mud stove) and Baphnom stove (1 pothole mud stove) have been introduced for household cooking; In addition improved institutional stoves for cottage industry are also introduced.

h. Improved Biomass Cook Stove for Villages in Indonesia, Dian Desa/Indonesian Stove Network

This project is intended to reduce GHG emission and improve people’s livelihood in which to prevent indoor air pollution both for women and babies through ICS. The project will focus on replacing about 2,100 inefficient traditional stoves. Technically the proposed improved stoves with thermal efficiency of 20-25% can reduce fuel wood consumption by 12-20%.

i. Improved Cookstove in Households and Food Micro-Enterprises in the Philippines (Approtech Asia, Philippines)

The project aims to expand the product and services of the Improved Cookstove Program to include the commercialization of the energy-efficient charcoal “mabaga” stove

4. Risk Based Validation

Presented by Mr. Lai Chee Kuong from DNV. DNV is the verification entity responsible for the validation and verification of GERES Cambodia’s New Lao Stove project. The presentation gave participants an idea of the required standards to achieve validation and verification and a focus for the necessary project design to satisfy the requirements of the verifier.

6. Renewable and Non-renewable biomass

In stove project which reduce or replace the use of biomass a key concept is that the

biomass must be demonstrated to be non-renewable. Session 6 introduced this concept.

The participants were provided with the UNFCCC definition and asked to break into groups and assess the suitability of the biomass in each of the proposed project activities.

7. Field Visit to stove producers

The field visit was an extension and introduction to the sessions on monitoring stove projects for carbon finance. The participants visited stove production sites to see how stove sales are recorded and how quality control and quality assurance are given to the stoves that are produced.

8. Baseline and Additionality

This session demonstrated and explored the necessity of establishing the baseline and

additionality and their function in emission reductions calculations. The session outlined the differences between the indicative data needed to complete the PIN and the rigorous data needed to complete the Project Design Document (PDD).

9. Calculating Emissions Reductions

Walk through of the formula and data used to calculate emission reductions from the New Lao stove project. An excel spreadsheet was provided in the materials to assist participants with emission reductions calculations

10. Finance

The session reviewed the advantages and disadvantages associated with carbon finance.

Namely that on the one hand it is a new source of finance that is rapidly growing and results based as well as allowing the possibility of pre-finance for project. However on the other hand it’s a complex and expensive process which is not always guaranteed success.

11. Monitoring

The presentation and discussion focused on the design of a monitoring systems to capture specific data to proof the quantity of CO2 reduced by the project. The presentation shared GERES-Cambodia’s monitoring of its ICS commercialisation project:

• Setting up of baselines
• Methodologies used in the monitoring of number of stoves distributed
• Methodologies used in the monitoring of stove quality (efficiencies) over time– at the laboratory, at the different stove production centers and at the household level
• Sampling methodologies used to determine household fuel consumption
• Emission reduction calculations

12. Feedback and Next Steps

As part of the final panel discussion participants were asked to review the draft PINs and

make recommendations to the project developers.

The point was made that several of the participants had learned that their project activities would not be eligible for carbon finance either because the biomass used was renewable or the number of units disseminated would be insufficient to cover transaction costs. Participants in these positions could look at either up scaling their existing projects or apply the training to other project scenarios which maybe easier to achieve.

13. Regional cooperation of biomass energy project developers

It is acknowledged that it will be not be easy for stove project to obtain carbon credit and that there was a need for regional co operation. The co operative, at this stage would be led by the Climate Change Unit of GERES Cambodia. GERES Cambodia will be drafting the concept of the co operative. The draft concept will tentatively be shared to concerned project developers, by early December. GERES Cambodia will also make an effort to participate in the Climate Change COP/MOP in December 2007 and to be able to share the draft concept to relevant stakeholders during the event.     

EXTENSION OF ARECOP PHASE III

DGIS, ARECOP's donor, has approved the extension of ARECOP Phase III by one year. Phase III (January 2004  December 2007) has been extended to December 2008. The extension period was decided by network members and partners during the Planning Technical Advisory Meeting in January 2007.  Revised plan of action for the 2007-2008 period had also been approved by the donor. ARECOP supported national networking programs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Srilanka and Vietnam will likewise be extended to December 2008. The national networks had also revised their plan of actions in accordance to the extended program duration.

Asia Regional Training on Kitchen Improvement, 12-15 August 2007

posted : 2007-06-28

Regional Training on High Quality Charcoal Production and Biomass Briquetting. 26 February – 7 March, 2007. Pak Chong, Thailand

13 participants from Cambodia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, participated in the training. The training was designed for mostly practical sessions on the construction and operation of several charcoal kiln designs and on the production of wood vinegar. The participants also familiarize themselves with manual biomass briquetting technologies.  

More: Download brief report and photos of the training

Related information and websites:

• Background of the training
• ARTI biomass charring technology
• Homepage on charcoal making in Japan

ARECOP Received Award

ARECOP Awarded in the PCIA Biennial 3rd Forum Bangalore, India, 20 – 24 March, 2007

During the Third Biennial Forum of the Partnership in Clean Indoor Air, ARECOP was awarded as a network that have been actively working in the Asia region in partnering, communicating and building the capacity for greater result in Asia in relation to Improving People’s Health, livelihood and Quality of Life by Reducing Indoor Air Pollution.

More about the forum: Proceedings of Third Bienneal PCIA Forum

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