FG Endorses Clean Cookstoves Project in Nigeria

•GreenPlinth Africa, partners to deploy 80 million free cookstoves nationwide

In a move towards sustainable development and environmental conservation, the federal government through the National Council on Climate Change has officially endorsed an initiative aimed at addressing global climate crisis, environmental challenges and improving livelihoods across the nation.

According to a statement yesterday, under the auspices of Greenplinth Africa Limited, in collaboration with strategic partners, an ambitious Article 6.4 project was launched to distribute 80 million clean cookstoves free of charge to households throughout Nigeria.

The initiative, the largest single clean cooking systems project in the world, marked a significant step forward in combatting the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with traditional cooking methods, such as indoor air pollution and deforestation.

The provision of clean cookstoves was set to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking practices.

“The adoption of clean and efficient cookstoves by households will lead to improved indoor air quality, reduce respiratory illnesses, and largely contribute to mitigating climate change through lower carbon emissions,” it added.

President and CEO of Greenplinth Africa Limited, Dr. Olawale Akinwumi; Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, were quoted in the statement to have recently issued a formal Letter of Endorsement (LoE) for the Improved and Efficient Cooking Energy Solution For Nigeria – a Programmatic Article 6.4 Project.

Dahiru, who is also the Designated National Authority (DNA) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Focal Point in Nigeria averred that the project would result in greenhouse gas emission reduction and more importantly lead to sustainable forest development and job creation in Nigeria.

According to him, besides reduction in domestic emissions, the project would decrease upper respiratory infections, thereby leading to improved health conditions; and equally enhance the nation in achieving sustainable development and the goals of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Speaking on the importance of the project, Dr. Victor Fodeke, Vice President and GMD of Greenplinth Africa Limited stated that the initiative would particularly benefit vulnerable communities, women, and children, who bear the brunt of health issues linked to traditional cooking practices. “Nigerians will experience tangible benefits while collectively contributing to global efforts in combating climate change,” he added.

Fodeke, a former Technical Adviser on Climate Change to the African Union (AU), declared that in addition to the deployment of clean cookstoves, the project includes an ambitious afforestation campaign, with plans to plant a staggering four billion economic trees across the nation.

“This initiative not only aims to combat deforestation but also to promote sustainable land management practices, enhance biodiversity, and create economic opportunities for communities across Nigeria – stimulating economic growth by creating new avenues for employment and income generation.

“The Article 6.4 Clean Cookstoves Project will be a foreign exchange earner for the Nigerian economy. This is first time anywhere in the world that efficient clean cookstoves project of this magnitude is being launched to be fully funded for every household, and 100 per cent financed by Carbon Credits.

“Our PANDA Cookstove is also the first clean cookstove in the world to be launched with the co-benefit of Innovative Tree Planting and Nurturing to eliminate or reduce Poverty, Hunger, and Diseases,” he added.