MicroEnergy Credits Achieves Milestone with First-of-Their-Kind Induction Cookstove Carbon Credits Issuance under Gold Standard

Mumbai, 13 February 2024– MicroEnergy Credits, a trusted provider of social impact carbon credits, proudly announces the issuance of first-of-their-kind carbon credits for its innovative induction cookstove clean cooking carbon program under the new Gold Standard Methodology for Metered & Measured Energy Cooking Devices. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the fight against pollution and health impacts caused by traditional cooking fuels, particularly in rural India.

Cooking fuels, including wood, coal, and biomass, have long been a major source of indoor air pollution in India. This form of cooking has a disastrous impact on not only the environment but also a devastating toll on public health. Those who cook over wood or kerosene, mostly women, inhale dangerous amounts of toxic smoke. According to the World Health Organization, pollution from this type of cooking kills 4 million people every year. In India, smoke from solid fuel used for cooking and other household activities is the largest source of ambient air pollution. Recent studies[i], including the one by Rao et al[ii]., have found that 20–50% of the pollutants in ambient air in India originate from residential solid fuel combustion.

April Allderdice, CEO, MicroEnergy Credits said:

“Our induction cookstove program not only contributes significantly to reducing carbon emissions but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities on the energy ladder, providing them with cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions. By harnessing the power of innovative solutions, we are empowering households to transition towards cleaner energy sources, contributing to a healthier environment, and improving the quality of life for rural and low-income women and their families.

“This initiative aligns seamlessly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 13 – Climate Action. By addressing the cooking sector's environmental impact, we are promoting better health outcomes for communities as well as creating a positive ripple effect in mitigating climate change.”

Margaret Kim, CEO, Gold Standard said:

“Clean cooking projects play an essential role in contributing to sustainable development and reducing emissions. The first issuance of credits from our Methodology Metered and Measured Cooking Device methodology, which enables accurate real-time measurement of energy consumption, marks an important milestone for clean cooking in the carbon market. I congratulate MicroEnergy Credits for their innovative and impactful project, and look forward to seeing the wider adoption of this methodology.”

MicroEnergy Credits' induction cookstove clean cooking program offers a transformative solution by significantly reducing the air pollution and carbon emissions associated with cooking. Induction cookstoves provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional methods. The technology not only improves air quality and health outcomes for communities, but it also aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

The Gold Standard certification attests to the verifiable emission reductions achieved by the MicroEnergy Credits program. The rigorous monitoring and verification process ensures that each credit issued represents a genuine and impactful reduction in carbon emissions, further emphasizing the company's commitment to generating the highest quality of carbon credits with verifiable impact.

Following a certification the project has achieved the following verified impact:

“The world will not reach net zero without addressing clean cooking access. And the cooking crisis, like climate change, will not be solved without carbon finance,” said Donee Alexander, Chief Science and Learning Officer, Clean Cooking Alliance. “When based on realistic assumptions that reflect integrity, transparency, and accountability, like those of Gold Standard’s metered methodology, clean cooking projects can deliver huge climate wins for people and the planet.”

MicroEnergy Credits remains dedicated to pioneering programs with clean energy solutions to empower rural and low-income communities on their journey out of poverty. The induction cookstove carbon credits issuance is a testament to the company's ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on both the well-being of communities and the planet.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Garima Dawer

Director, Communications, MicroEnergy Credits

garima.dawer@microenergycredits.com

About MicroEnergy Credits 

MicroEnergy Credits is a social enterprise that helps MFIs launch and scale clean energy lending programs by connecting them to carbon markets. As a trusted provider of social impact carbon credits, MEC seeks to empower every community by providing access to affordable and innovative clean energy solutions. MEC aims to create a world free of both poverty and climate change. Our programs enable rural and low-income communities to take control of their clean energy future while providing corporations committed to positive climate action with carbon credits with verifiable impact. 

Over the past 16 years, we have impacted the lives of over 40 million people in the developing countries of Asia and Africa. Our MFI partners play a crucial role in the adoption of clean energy. As a supportive partner, MEC leverages its prowess in the carbon market to provide resources, training, and expertise to help our MFI partners make a difference on the ground. 

[i] [i] Chafe, Z., & Chowdhury, S. (2021). A deadly double dose for India’s poor. Nature Sustainability, 4(10), 835-836. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00752-0

[ii] Rao, N. D., Kiesewetter, G., Min, J., Pachauri, S., & Wagner, F. (2021). Household contributions to and impacts from air pollution in India. Nature Sustainability, 4(10), 859-867. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-021-00744-0

How Does MEC Incorporate the Research from UC Berkeley (Gill-Wiehl et al) in its Work? 

As a project developer, MEC read Gill-Wiehl’s original research with interest. We are always trying to keep on the cutting edge using the best possible methodologies. Technology is continuously changing and we are evolving with it. As our CEO April Allderdice writes here, the methodologies will continue to change and improve over time. Moreover, it is our company's value that constructive criticism is a valuable catalyst for progress.  The great news is that MEC has already been applying most of the suggestions for monitoring integrity. Here are some of the suggestions from the paper that MEC is already implementing:

MEC Africa Program: Project Additionality- Common Practice Analysis to Bolster Integrity of Carbon Credits

The concept of common practice in additionality is a critical component in bolstering confidence in carbon offsets and their integrity. MicroEnergy Credits follows a robust process to ensure that all its carbon projects are strictly additional and not common practice.

Common practice analysis helps determine the extent to which a technology is business as usual i.e. has already diffused in a sector and region. Distributed clean energy products in Uganda and Kenya have been able to be deployed only through carbon finance. Several programs by multilateral banks, government initiatives, etc. have had limited success for various reasons, elaborated upon extensively later in the article.

In the context of energy access and clean cooking/lighting services in Kenya and Uganda, challenges and opportunities converge to shape the landscape.

About 0.7% and 20.40% of the populations of Uganda and Kenya, respectively, have access to clean cooking[i], Significantly contributing to indoor air pollution, fire hazards, and adverse health impacts. No or limited access to modern and clean energy sources, such as electricity and clean cooking technologies, remains a pressing issue.

The applicable geographic areas for interventions (rural areas of Uganda and Kenya) are characterized by diverse challenges including economic constraints, lack of infrastructure, and geographic remoteness. Many households face challenges in adopting clean cooking technologies due to high upfront costs, limited awareness, and insufficient supply of products.

MEC’s clean energy program reduces emissions by facilitating a transition from conventional fossil-fuel technologies to more energy-efficient alternatives. Collaborating with our partner microfinance institutions, MEC has identified products that meet the specific requirements of each community. These products include solar lighting systems and improved cookstoves (ICS).

In the period preceding the project's commencement, there was a lack of infrastructure and supportive conditions[ii] for the adoption of renewable technologies such as solar home lighting systems, and improved cookstoves (ICS). The community that the project aimed to assist had limited awareness about these cleaner technologies. Further, the essential products were largely unavailable in the local market, making it challenging for the targeted population to access and benefit from these sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Besides that, there was no financing[iii] available for the mentioned products, The upfront cost of these clean technologies was high for a low-income remotely located household. MEC, partnering with MFIs, sought to address these gaps by creating awareness, establishing a supportive ecosystem, enabling financial assistance in the form of microfinance loans, and making these technologies more accessible to the community, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way of living.

Projects implemented without carbon finance

Initiatives by the Governments of Uganda & Kenya and multilateral organizations have focused on the implementation of biomass cookstoves. Unfortunately, many of these efforts faced challenges and were largely unsuccessful due to a lack of a comprehensive ecosystem development approach. Most of these programs involved the free distribution of improved cookstoves among low-income households. The key issues contributing to their failure included an insufficient emphasis on behavioral change among end-users, limited access to repair and maintenance services, the inadequate establishment of local supply chains, and the provision of technologies not well-suited to local food habits and cooking styles.

Here is an example of a past program initiated by the Government of Kenya:

Name of ProgramObjectivePeriodNumber of Clean Energy Technology Products Distributed
The Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP)To increase access to modern energy services – electricity and modern cooking solutions– in households, businesses, and community and public facilities in fourteen underserved counties in Kenya2018-20232,50,000 solar home lighting systems 1,50,000 improved cookstoves

A study[iv] conducted by the Lund University suggests that the failure of previous clean cooking programs is attributed to a lack of understanding of user needs. The conventional utility-based model focusing on benefits and price may overlook competing priorities. The cooking needs of stove users are diverse, extending beyond smoke reduction and fuel efficiency. The study underscores the necessity for stove design and dissemination methods to align with features valued by users, even those unrelated to health and environmental impacts. Recognizing user perspectives is vital, as users must value and find their needs met for sustained stove adoption and usage.

Similarly, a study[v] conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute suggests that the use of carbon finance can benefit – and sometimes even strengthen – improved cookstove projects in several ways. Most cookstove projects using carbon finance are still in the early stages. However, by examining how various types of actors are using (or plan to use) carbon finance within their business models, and how these fit with what the literature tells us about the core ingredients for cookstove market transformation.

Additionally, a study[vi] conducted by the United Nations University, Institute for Advanced Study of Sustainability (IAS) in Machakos and Laikipia counties of Kenya, investigated women's perceptions of health risks related to firewood dependence, their attitudes toward improved cooking charcoal stoves (ICS) as cleaner alternatives, and barriers to adoption. Despite awareness of health risks, there is a projected upward trend in firewood demand. Barriers to ICS adoption vary socio-culturally. The study recommends stakeholder involvement, participatory designs, and leveraging SDG 7 to promote cleaner and sustainable energy sources for cooking.

Overcoming barriers to clean energy adoption with MEC’s carbon funding

There is also evidence to suggest that giveaway programs (i.e. where clean energy products are given for free) are not successful for several reasons, e.g. limited to no focus on end-user awareness, lack of after-sales service, and no capacity development at an individual or institutional level.  

The MEC program is not common practice as it utilizes carbon finance to overcome challenges, empowering microentrepreneurs to invest in clean energy products. Initially, MEC collaborates with the microfinance institution to devise an appealing clean energy product offering for its microfinance client base, addressing obstacles such as education, pricing, financing, and the availability of supplies and after-sales service. Subsequently, MEC provides training to the microfinance institution for the implementation of the clean energy-lending program. This training encompasses aspects like business planning, capacity building, marketing and awareness campaigns for client education, and supply chain processes. MEC establishes a robust and transparent system for monitoring and tracking carbon credits, quantifying, and documenting the number of emissions reduced by the clean energy program. Lastly, the carbon finance is employed to expand and sustain the clean energy program through activities such as:

The common practice analysis conducted in the context of MicroEnergy Credits' carbon programs in Africa underscores the pivotal role of additional practices in ensuring the integrity of carbon credits. MEC's approach, leveraging carbon finance to overcome barriers to clean energy adoption, stands out as a distinctive and effective strategy, addressing challenges ranging from lack of awareness and infrastructure to financing constraints. By integrating microfinance institutions, client education, and comprehensive monitoring systems, MEC not only reduces carbon emissions but also establishes a sustainable and environmentally conscious pathway for rural communities, thereby contributing significantly to the broader goals of carbon mitigation and sustainable development.

[i] https://www.iea.org/reports/sdg7-data-and-projections/access-to-clean-cooking

[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221462962030116X

[iii] https://shaktifoundation.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/3FINAL-COOKING.pdf

[iv] https://lup.lub.lu.se/luur/download?func=downloadFile&recordOId=7762708&fileOId=7868525

[v] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629614001467?via%3Dihub

[vi] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0376835X.2017.1335592

MEC India Clean Energy Program- Project Additionality: Common Practice Analysis

Bolstering the Integrity of Carbon Credits

The concept of common practice in additionality is a critical component in bolstering confidence in carbon offsets and their integrity. MicroEnergy Credits follows a robust process to ensure that all its carbon projects are strictly additional and not common practice.

Common practice analysis helps determine the extent to which a technology is business as usual i.e. has already diffused in a sector and region. Distributed clean energy products in India have been largely successfully deployed through carbon finance. Several programs by multilateral banks, government initiatives, etc. have had limited success for various reasons, elaborated upon extensively later in the article.

In the context of energy access and clean cooking/drinking water/lighting services in rural India, challenges and opportunities converge to shape the landscape. About 840[i] million in India fully or partially rely on traditional biomass for cooking, contributing to indoor air pollution, fire hazards, and adverse health impacts. Limited access to modern and clean energy sources, such as electricity and clean cooking technologies, remains a pressing issue.

The applicable geographic areas for interventions in rural areas of India are characterized by diverse challenges including economic constraints, lack of infrastructure, and geographic remoteness. Many households face challenges in adopting clean cooking technologies due to high upfront costs, limited awareness, and insufficient supply of products.

MEC’s Clean Energy Program reduces emissions by facilitating a transition from conventional fossil-fuel technologies to more energy-efficient alternatives. Collaborating with our partner microfinance institutions, MEC has identified products that meet the specific requirements of each community. These products include solar lighting systems, improved cookstoves (ICS), and water purifiers.

In the period preceding the project's commencement, there was a lack of infrastructure and supportive conditions[ii] for the adoption of renewable technologies such as solar home lighting systems, improved cookstoves (ICS), and water purifiers. The community that the project aimed to assist had limited awareness about these cleaner technologies. Further, the essential products were largely unavailable in the local market, making it challenging for the targeted population to access and benefit from these sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Besides that, there was no financing[iii] available on the mentioned products, The upfront cost of these clean technologies was high for a low-income remotely located household. MEC, partnering with MFIs, sought to address these gaps by creating awareness, establishing a supportive ecosystem, enabling financial assistance in the form of microfinance loans, and making these technologies more accessible to the community, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious way of living.

Projects implemented without carbon finance

Numerous initiatives by the Government of India (GOI) and multilateral organizations have focused on the implementation of biomass cookstoves. Unfortunately, many of these efforts faced challenges and were largely unsuccessful due to a lack of a comprehensive ecosystem development approach. Most of these programs involved the free distribution of improved cookstoves among low-income households. The key issues contributing to their failure included an insufficient emphasis on behavioral change among end-users, limited access to repair and maintenance services, the inadequate establishment of local supply chains, and the provision of technologies not well-suited to local food habits and cooking styles.

Here are a few examples of past programs initiated by the GOI:

Name of the ProgramObjectivesPeriodNumber of stoves distributed
National Program on Improved Cookstoves (NPIC)To disseminate improved cookstoves on a mass scale, through various partners, including state nodal agencies, NGOs, and self-employed workers1983- 200235 million[iv]
National Biomass Cookstoves Initiative (NBCI)To enhance technical capacity, strengthening research and development for ICS2009NA
Unnat Chulha AbhiyanTo promote improved biomass cookstoves across all states and union territories20142.4 million

A study conducted[v] jointly by J-PAL Global, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago on evaluating the long-term impacts of improved cooking stoves in India revealed significant insights into the sustainable outcomes and effectiveness of these state-run cookstove programs. The study was conducted in Odisha, India, in partnership with NGO Gram Vikas, to assess the long-term health and environmental impacts of an improved cookstove program. It was found that while many households accepted the stoves, regular usage was low and declined over time. The stoves did not substantially reduce exposure to harmful pollutants, leading to limited health improvements. The study suggests that real-world conditions significantly affect the success of such state-run interventions, emphasizing the need for testing technologies in realistic settings before massive-scale implementation.

Likewise, a research paper titled "Piloting Improved Cookstoves in India"[vi], advocates for a social marketing strategy. The approach, based on the 4Ps (promotion, product, price, and place), is recommended to stimulate the adoption of improved cookstoves. The authors emphasize the necessity of a holistic strategy that addresses communication, pricing, and placement considerations. To surpass the current low levels of adoption, the article suggests a comprehensive field-testing methodology, exploring various combinations of social marketing interventions. The study is executed in rural India, concentrating on areas with diverse socio-political and biophysical contexts.

Another academic publication by the University of Iowa, USA and Cornell College, USA titled "Why Have Improved Cook-Stove Initiatives in India Failed?“[vii] argues that rural women in India, who are the primary users of cookstoves, do not give priority to improved cookstoves. Meeting the priorities of these women would necessitate substantial investment to challenge established and influential social practices.

A joint research study[viii] “Who is willing to pay for solar lamps in rural India?” by VIT Bhopal University, India, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India, and the Boston College School of Social Work, USA underscores the need to increase awareness in the surveyed states, particularly for solar home systems (SHS) and solar water pumps. Given the minimal duration of available electricity, especially during dark hours in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh states, the research suggests that solar products can serve as a meaningful solution to address these gaps. Recommendations include promoting awareness through various programs to generate significant interest in solar energy products, ultimately increasing willingness to pay among the population.

Overcoming barriers to clean energy adoption with MEC’s carbon funding

There is also evidence to suggest that giveaway programs (i.e. where clean energy products are given for free) are not successful for several reasons, e.g. limited to no focus on end-user awareness, lack of after-sales service, and no capacity development at an individual or institutional level.  

The MEC program is not common practice as it utilizes carbon finance to overcome challenges, empowering microentrepreneurs to invest in clean energy products. Initially, MEC collaborates with the microfinance institution to devise an appealing clean energy product offering for its microfinance client base, addressing obstacles such as education, pricing, financing, and the availability of supplies and after-sales service. Subsequently, MEC provides training to the microfinance institution for the implementation of the clean energy-lending program. This training encompasses aspects like business planning, capacity building, marketing and awareness campaigns for client education, and supply chain processes. MEC establishes a robust and transparent system for monitoring and tracking carbon credits, quantifying, and documenting the number of emissions reduced by the clean energy program. Lastly, the carbon finance is employed to expand and sustain the clean energy program through activities such as:

The common practice analysis conducted in the context of MicroEnergy Credits' carbon programs in India underscores the pivotal role of additional practices in ensuring the integrity of carbon credits. MEC's approach, leveraging carbon finance to overcome barriers to clean energy adoption, stands out as a distinctive and effective strategy, addressing challenges ranging from lack of awareness and infrastructure to financing constraints. By integrating microfinance institutions, client education, and comprehensive monitoring systems, MEC not only reduces carbon emissions but also establishes a sustainable and environmentally conscious pathway for rural communities, thereby contributing significantly to the broader goals of carbon mitigation and sustainable

[i] https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/clean-cooking-india-challenges-solutions_0.pdf

[ii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221462962030116X

[iii] https://shaktifoundation.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/3FINAL-COOKING.pdf

[iv] https://energypedia.info/images/f/f7/Dr._Parveen_Dhamija_%28MNRE%29_-_Unnat_Chulha_Abhiyan.pdf

[v] https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/environment/improved-cooking-stoves-in-india-evaluating-long-run-impacts.html

[vi] Jessica J. Lewis, Vasundhara Bhojvaid, Nina Brooks, Ipsita Das, Marc A. Jeuland, Omkar Patange & Subhrendu K. Pattanayak (2015) Piloting Improved Cookstoves in India, Journal of Health Communication, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10810730.2014.994243

[vii] Why Have Improved Cook-Stove Initiatives in India Failed? - ScienceDirect

[viii] Who is willing to pay for solar lamps in rural India?- ScienceDirect

Image by Freepik

Ensuring No Over-Crediting of Emission Reductions Due to Double Counting: Stringent Data Management and Exclusive Partnership Contracts

MicroEnergy Credits (MEC) is committed to the ICVCM’s Core Carbon Principles and ensuring that emission reductions from its program are not double counted. According to IC-VCM, the “GHG emission reductions or removals from the mitigation activity shall not be double counted, i.e., they shall only be counted once towards achieving mitigation targets or goals” (ICVCM, 2023).

Double counting covers double issuance, double claiming, and double use. Double claiming and double use are risks managed by standards that certify the projects. MEC’s projects are certified by reputed standards like Gold Standard and Verra which have mechanisms in place at their registry level to ensure that double claiming does not occur. Double Issuance occurs when two or more carbon credits co-exist for one GHG emission reduction or removal, under the same or different carbon-crediting or other programs. MEC takes stringent measures to ensure that there is no double issuance of credits from a single household or that no other entity is issuing credits from the same project. MEC employs a robust database management team that develops customised data model algorithms and proprietary software that surgically scans and eliminates any duplicate records of end-users through multiple levels of data modeling checks. To implement these checks successfully, MEC engages with partner organisations to submit an extensive monthly database of loan records corresponding to clean energy product sales. Moreover, MEC’s contract agreement with partnering organisations includes a rigorous exclusivity clause for the carbon project implementation within a specified geographical area.

Checking for duplicate records

Duplicate records can happen due to human error in entering records or erroneous data submission. Since MEC’s carbon program follows a market-driven approach, every end-user of the clean energy product is accessing affordable financing options from a partner microfinance institution (MFI). Therefore, all clean energy product loans have a unique transaction number. In the monthly data submitted by MFIs, MEC checks all transaction records in the entire database and eliminates all duplicate transaction numbers as double entries or erroneous records. This way, we can eliminate any human error or the possibility of erroneous data submission that may inflate the emission reduction calculations and generate more carbon credits than the actual. This method might sometimes even lead to under-crediting, which preserves the principle of conservativeness in the calculation of carbon credits.

Double-layer scrutiny with checks for overlapping records.

MEC works with several MFIs across different crediting periods, which means that there is a possibility that a single end-user may be a client of multiple MFIs at the same time. Sometimes end users may access a cross-sale loan from multiple MFIs for the same technology device. End users can also access an MFI for multiple loans for similar technologies across different loan periods. There is a risk that an end-user might end up with more than one solar light, improved cookstove, or water purifier during the same crediting period. While one may argue that an end-user may need multiple units of similar devices and may be using them regularly, by the principle of conservativeness in carbon credits, only the first unit may be eligible for calculation of carbon credits as that unit is reducing emissions over the baseline under a business-as-usual scenario. Therefore, it becomes imperative that all succeeding and overlapping devices of the same technology type are eliminated while calculating the emission reductions from the carbon program.

MEC applies a second layer of checks (beyond duplicate entries) for overlapping user account identifications by carefully identifying patterns and matches in all historical customer identifier data fields. MEC sends all overlapping records to partner MFIs for clarification, and only upon submission of satisfactory evidence does MEC include such records in the current monitoring period, otherwise these records are eliminated.

MEC also eliminates the possibility of overlapping loan products across partner MFIs by scrutinizing the entire database across different partners by applying partial matching algorithms on end-user demographic microdata. This helps us scan out overlapping sales, which we send for clarification to different partner organizations for a common data field. MEC eliminates all overlapping records from the database and only includes unique records in the emission reduction calculations.

MEC has developed a proprietary data warehousing and processing software called the Credit Tracker, which applies all these complex data modeling algorithms to ensure that the data integrity is maintained by elimination of over-crediting due to double counting across the entire program in the defined geographical area. Our Credit Tracker software is ever-evolving, and the current version is upgraded with state-of-the-art big data algorithms to identify noise across a heterogeneous database of over 9 million households across the globe.

Distinction between MEC's CER and VER portfolio

MEC ensures that the emission reductions from its projects and the related climate impacts are counted only once. MEC ensures that there is no double issuance because:

  1. There is no overlap between the CDM monitoring periods and GS/Verra monitoring periods for any of these PoA/projects.
  2. There are no issued CERs that have been converted to GS-VERs or VCUs.

Exclusivity clause

The concept of exclusivity is deeply embedded in the partnership agreements between MEC and partnering MFIs. MEC signs partnerships with MFIs on the ground that all clean energy projects by the partnering entity shall only be registered under MEC’s carbon program. This ensures that no partnering MFI can claim carbon funding from any other project developer while being a part of MEC’s carbon projects. Through continuous training and engagement with partners, MEC implements the concept of exclusivity in all carbon projects to avoid any possibility that two or more mitigation activities have overlapping GHG accounting boundaries in the carbon market which could lead to double issuance. This enables us to implement a market-wide check and balance since MEC is the trusted carbon program partner to all major MFIs in the geographical area.

MEC’s stringent data management and exclusive contracts can set out a market-wide standard for upholding the integrity of carbon credits and eliminate doubts that different market participants may have on the issue of over-crediting due to double counting.

MEC India Program - Microfinance for Solar Lighting & Water Purifiers: Audited Documents

In line with our commitment to transparency and integrity, we are providing all details of and access to audited documents pertaining to our carbon programs here. This initiative aims to ensure that stakeholders have access to program details and documentation in an easy-to-use way.

In the rural regions of India, the prevalent method for obtaining drinking water involves boiling, typically done using traditional cook stoves fuelled by woody biomass. Unfortunately, the resultant smoke and fumes significantly contribute to indoor air pollution. Additionally, households in these rural areas face challenges such as lack of grid connectivity or, in cases where connectivity exists, frequent power outages and low voltage. This situation forces households to resort to using kerosene for indoor lighting, further exacerbating indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Verified Project Activity (VPA) outlined in this initiative encompasses the marketing, education, distribution, and financing of solar lighting systems and water purification devices specifically tailored for low-income households and microentrepreneurs in India. MicroEnergy Credits Corporation Private Limited serves as the Coordinating and Managing Entity for this Program of Activities (PoA), overseeing the efforts of VPA implementers in the distribution of Clean Energy Products across India.

These products, namely solar lighting systems and water purification devices, play a pivotal role in providing clean drinking water and renewable energy for lighting. The water purification devices, distributed as part of the proposed VPAs, replace traditional cookstoves, eliminating the need for fuelwood to boil water, and consequently, reducing GHG emissions associated with fuelwood consumption. Simultaneously, the solar lighting systems serve as substitutes for kerosene-based lamps in households, mitigating potential GHG emissions resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, specifically kerosene. This multifaceted approach aims to address both water purification needs and lighting requirements while significantly curbing the environmental impact associated with traditional practices.

The audited documents for all the VPAs under this program are listed below. Click on the document name to open. These documents can also be found on the Gold Standard registry.

Project Design Documents

 1VPA Design Document for GS11896
 2VPA Design Document for GS11897
 3VPA Design Document for GS11898
 4VPA Design Document for GS11496
 5VPA Design Document for GS11505
 6VPA Design Document for GS11894
 7VPA Design Document for GS11895
 8VPA Design Document for GS11486
 9VPA Design Document for GS11485
 10VPA Design Document for GS11490
 11VPA Design Document for GS11491
 12VPA Design Document for GS11498
 13VPA Design Document for GS11499
 14VPA Design Document for GS11500
 15VPA Design Document for GS11501
 16VPA Design Document for GS11502
 17VPA Design Document for GS11503
 18VPA Design Document for GS11504
 19VPA Design Document for GS11482
 20VPA Design Document for GS11483
 21VPA Design Document for GS11478
 22VPA Design Document for GS11479
 23VPA Design Document for GS11480
 24VPA Design Document for GS11481
 25VPA Design Document for GS11484
 26VPA Design Document for GS11451
 27VPA Design Document for GS11452
 28VPA Design Document for GS11474
 29VPA Design Document for GS11475
 30VPA Design Document for GS11476
 31VPA Design Document for GS11477
 32VPA Design Document for GS11489
 33VPA Design Document for GS11450

Monitoring Reports

 1Monitoring Report for GS11896
 2Monitoring Report for GS11897
 3Monitoring Report for GS11898
 4Monitoring Report for GS11496
 5Monitoring Report for GS11505
 6Monitoring Report for GS11894
 7Monitoring Report for GS11895
 8Monitoring Report for GS11486
 9Monitoring Report for GS11485
 10Monitoring Report for GS11490
 11Monitoring Report for GS11491
 12Monitoring Report for GS11498
 13Monitoring Report for GS11499
 14Monitoring Report for GS11500
 15Monitoring Report for GS11501
 16Monitoring Report for GS11502
 17Monitoring Report for GS11503
 18Monitoring Report for GS11504
 19Monitoring Report for GS11482
 20Monitoring Report for GS11483
 21Monitoring Report for GS11478
 22Monitoring Report for GS11479
 23Monitoring Report for GS11480
 24Monitoring Report for GS11481
 25Monitoring Report for GS11484
 26Monitoring Report for GS11451
 27Monitoring Report for GS11452
 28Monitoring Report for GS11474
 29Monitoring Report for GS11475
 30Monitoring Report for GS11476
 31Monitoring Report for GS11477
 32Monitoring Report for GS11489

Verification Reports

 1Verification Report for GS11896
 2Verification Report for GS11897
 3Verification Report for GS11898
 4Verification Report for GS11496
 5Verification Report for GS11505
 6Verification Report for GS11894
 7Verification Report for GS11895
 8Verification Report for GS11486
 9Verification Report for GS11485
 10Verification Report for GS11490
 11Verification Report for GS11491
 12Verification Report for GS11498
 13Verification Report for GS11499
 14Verification Report for GS11500
 15Verification Report for GS11501
 16Verification Report for GS11502
 17Verification Report for GS11503
 18Verification Report for GS11504
 19Verification Report for GS11482
 20Verification Report for GS11483
 21Verification Report for GS11478
 22Verification Report for GS11479
 23Verification Report for GS11480
 24Verification Report for GS11481
 25Verification Report for GS11484
 26Verification Report for GS11451
 27Verification Report for GS11452
 28Verification Report for GS11474
 29Verification Report for GS11475
 30Verification Report for GS11476
 31Verification Report for GS11477
 32Verification Report for GS11489

MEC Africa Program – Microfinance for Solar Lamps & Efficient Cookstoves: Project Design & Monitoring Documents

In line with our commitment to transparency and integrity, we are providing all details of and access to audited documents pertaining to our carbon programs here. This initiative aims to ensure that stakeholders have access to program details and documentation in an easy-to-use way.

MEC Africa Program – Microfinance for Solar Lamps & Efficient Cookstoves

In both rural areas of Kenya and urban areas of Uganda, the predominant means of cooking involves traditional cook stoves using charcoal, wood, or kerosene, leading to significant indoor air pollution and adverse effects on human health. The lack of grid connection or frequent power outages in these regions necessitates the use of kerosene for indoor lighting, further contributing to indoor air pollution. The proposed project activity, spearheaded by MicroEnergy Credits Corporation (MEC), aims to address these challenges through the marketing, distribution, and financing of approximately 650,000 solar lighting systems (SLS) and 10,000 improved cook stoves (ICS) in Kenya, as well as 650,000 solar lamps and 75,000 improved cook stoves in Uganda.

This comprehensive initiative targets low-income households, community organizations, and small/medium enterprises, providing them with clean and renewable energy solutions for both cooking and lighting. MEC collaborates with project partners to establish a successful clean energy-lending program, overcoming barriers such as education, pricing, finance, and supply and aftersales service. The program includes training for project partners in implementing the lending initiative and incorporates a robust carbon credit monitoring and tracking system to quantify and document carbon emission reductions achieved through the adoption of clean energy. The utilization of carbon finance ensures the expansion and sustainability of the clean energy program in both regions. This report delves into the details of these initiatives, exploring their impact on environmental sustainability, human health, and the overall well-being of communities in Kenya and Uganda.

Project Design Documents

1VCS Design Document for Verra ID 2835
2VCS Design Document for Verra ID 2836  
3VCS Design Document for Verra ID 2837  
4VCS Design Document for Verra ID 2838 
5VCS Design Document for Verra ID 2839 

Monitoring Reports

1Monitoring Report for Verra ID 2835  
2Monitoring Report for Verra ID 2836  
3Monitoring Report for Verra ID 2837  
4Monitoring Report for Verra ID 2838 
5Monitoring Report for Verra ID 2839    

MEC India Program - Microfinance for Inverter LED Lamps: Project Design Document

The purpose behind MEC’s Grouped Project “Microfinance for Inverter LED lamps in India” is to reduce fossil-fuel based electricity consumption in the rural households across India by introducing more energy efficient inverter LED lamps to replace incandescent lightbulbs (“ICLs”). An inverter LED contains a light bulb coupled with a battery system (typically Li-Ion type) such that the LED bulb will operate on mains power supply during availability and will switch to battery power when main supply is not available (for e.g., in a blackout situation). This makes the inverter LED more versatile and useful than a normal LED bulb. The inverter LEDs distributed under the grouped project will replace ICL lamps in households, which would have resulted in GHG emissions due to usage of ICL. Thus, the grouped project will lead to mitigation in GHG emissions and a range of other sustainable development benefits in the project region. The distribution of SLS is not mandated by Indian law and the grouped project is a voluntary initiative.

Click here to see the project design document.

Click here to see the project details on the Verra registry.

MEC India Program - Microfinance for Induction Cookstoves: Audited Documents

In line with our commitment to transparency and integrity, we are providing all details of and access to audited documents pertaining to our carbon programs here. This initiative aims to ensure that stakeholders have access to program details and documentation in an easy-to-use way.

MicroEnergy Credits - Microfinance for Clean Cooking Product Lines

MicroEnergy Credits (MEC) - Microfinance for Clean Cooking Product Lines – India PoA is initiated to address environmental and developmental concerns in peri-urban areas of India. Targeting regions with a prevalent use of non-renewable biomass and fossil fuels for cooking, the PoA aims to distribute induction cookstoves, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable development. This voluntary initiative, led by MicroEnergy Credits Corporation Private Limited, operates within peri-urban zones, where boundaries are porous and transitory between rural and urban environments. With a focus on reducing health impacts, such as respiratory diseases, associated with inefficient cooking devices, the PoA utilizes the Gold Standard approved methodology for energy-efficient cooking devices.

The distribution of induction cookstoves not only improves living conditions but also lessens pressure on local forests, contributing to a wide range of sustainability benefits. MEC, as the Coordinating Entity, collaborates with microfinance institutions, overcoming historical barriers to introduce clean energy products to micro entrepreneurs. Utilizing carbon finance, MEC addresses challenges like the lack of upfront finance, awareness, and after sales service. The comprehensive approach involves product development, training, and a transparent carbon credit monitoring system to quantify emission reductions. The resulting carbon finance is then used to expand and sustain the clean energy program, covering aspects like client education, internal training, on-lending funds, aftersales service, and reduced costs for clients. MEC coordinates with Partner Organizations (POs) for the dissemination of induction cookstoves, and the electronic Credit Tracker Platform ensures accurate tracking, preventing double-counting of installations.

Audited Documents

 Document Name
1VPA Design Document for GS 12067
2Monitoring Report for GS 12067    
3GS4GG Verification Report

Click here to see the project details in the Gold Standard Registry.

A Journey of Impact and Innovation

April Allderdice, CEO & Co-Founder of MicroEnergy Credits reflects on the incredible milestones achieved by the company so far and outlines the vision for the future of clean energy finance.

In the journey of MicroEnergy Credits so far, we have witnessed remarkable transformations and realized an extraordinary vision. Our commitment to investing in microfinance institutions and fostering clean energy finance has positively impacted the lives of millions while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.


Early Days and the Evolution
In the early days, we recognized the immense potential of microfinance institutions in driving positive change. With our belief in their ability to empower underserved communities, we embarked on a mission to support microfinance clean energy lending programs. Over the past 15 years, we have witnessed the realization of this vision, as microfinance institutions have extended their reach to over a million clients with clean energy solutions.

Our company has been instrumental in unlocking substantial funding for clean energy finance. By investing in microfinance institutions and assisting them in establishing clean energy lending programs, we have together, unlocked over 400 million dollars in clean energy finance, marking a significant milestone in our collective efforts to combat climate change.

Surviving and Pivoting: Navigating Carbon Market Volatility
The journey has not been without its challenges. We weathered the storm when the carbon markets crashed in 2013, which saw many companies succumb to the turbulence. However, through resilience and strategic pivoting, we adapted our business model, secured new capital, and emerged stronger than ever. Our dedication to our mission paid off when several European governments recognized the value of our carbon finance programs focused on social issues, awarding us three crucial contracts that helped us ride out the market downturn.

New Opportunities, New Challenges: Nurturing Sustainable Growth
Today, as we witness a resurgence in the voluntary carbon markets, we are poised to create even greater climate and poverty alleviation impact. Our partnerships with microfinance institutions enable us to reach microfinance clients with the latest clean energy technologies, so that they can improve their quality of life and be at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We are excited to expand our reach to smaller microfinance institution partners who can bring clean energy technologies to even lower income and more remote households.

Diversifying Impact: Expanding Clean Energy Initiatives
Looking to the future, our vision encompasses not only the expansion of our existing portfolio of clean energy products but also the exploration of new trends and technologies. We are committed to bringing induction stoves, electric pressure cookers, solar water pumps, and electric mobility solutions into the fold of microfinance institutions. By providing access to efficient and climate-friendly technology, we empower households to make sustainable choices and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change.

Building a Sustainable Financial Sector Incorporating Carbon Finance
Our vision is to seamlessly integrate carbon finance into the socially responsible financial sector. We aspire to influence every financial decision towards clean energy choices, allowing the future of climate action to be embedded in every loan facilitated through microfinance institutions. By empowering micro-entrepreneurs, we can drive positive environmental and social change while promoting financial inclusion.

Our journey thus far has been filled with achievements and breakthroughs. Yet, we are only at the beginning of our quest to empower microfinance institutions and foster clean energy finance. Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are committed to building a sustainable financial sector that seamlessly incorporates carbon finance, enabling every financial decision to be influenced by the principles of clean energy and environmental responsibility. We are committed to this incredible journey as we empower micro-entrepreneurs and strive towards a greener, more inclusive world.