WeAct is pleased to announce that our Fiji Clean Cookstove Project (VCS2656) has passed Verra’s rigorous project registration and verification process and has now issued its first VCUs under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS).
This issuance marks the first time VCUs have been issued to a project in Fiji, paving the way for more projects to be delivered in the Pacific Island Nation to help deliver on Fiji’s climate targets.
This major project milestone represents significant work undertaken over the last five years by KCM and WeAct in partnership with local project partner Kasabias, one of Fiji’s leading hardware stores. Together we have educated communities, distributed cookstoves and provided ongoing support to rural and remote communities across all 14 provinces of Fiji. Working through the detailed review process with Verra has ensured the project meets the highest integrity standards expected by global carbon markets.
“This is the one of the first technology-based projects implemented in the Pacific, and the first project in Fiji to be registered under the Verified Carbon Standard and issue VCUs. We’re excited that in partnership with KCM and Kasabias, we are supporting real climate action in Fiji”, says Vivek Dugar, Director at WeAct.
“These clean cookstoves provide a range of benefits to vulnerable Fijian communities – they lower household emissions, improve health outcomes for families and reduce pressure on critical ecosystems that many Fijians depend on for their livelihoods.” he said.
“Over the last five years, the rural and remote communities participating in our project have come to view these simple cookstoves as a solution that helps them fight climate change ” says Brad Kerin, General Manager, Asia Pacific at WeAct.
“Using an energy efficient cookstove means communities no longer have to cut down as much of the terrestrial and mangrove forests for firewood use, which enables them to grow back stronger and more resilient in the face of devastating climate impacts” he said.
“In some small way these cookstoves are a tangible, local climate solution that help families better protect their homes from cyclones, flooding, erosion – climate impacts that Fiji is already experiencing” he said.
“Our communities tell us ‘if we protect the land, the land will protect us…and this project is helping us do that’. At its heart, that’s what this project is all about, and we’re excited to be a part of this story, and share it with the world” he said.
The project has received its first issuances of VCUs, and volumes are now available for purchase by interested parties.
About the Project
In recent years Fiji has been exposed to regular devastating cyclone events that have caused loss of life, and significant environmental infrastructure and economic damage.
Since 2020 KCM, WeAct and local partner Kasabias have provided over 50,000 households across Fiji with energy-efficient cookstoves, that reduce household fuel consumption by up to 70%, channelling income into other critical needs such as food, healthcare, education and clothing.
Providing a family with a clean cookstove helps reduce firewood consumption, significantly reduces indoor air pollution and smoke-related health impacts and prevents fire hazards facing predominantly women and children in the home. What’s more, families are able to spend the money they’ve saved on other things like food, healthcare, education, clothing.
Click below to see full project design, integrity and impact information.
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