Summary
Introduce a new energy efficiency & social impact (EEIMP) focused pool into the web3 space via C3.
Motivation
As overall carbon liquidity grows on-chain and interoperability between carbon pools is standardized, additional carbon pools will help expand the choice that demand-side participants have for various offset groups. One area that is currently absent is in regard to social co-benefits and small-scale energy efficiency. Such projects have a strong community focus and closely align with the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
-SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
-SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
-SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
-SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
-SDG 13: Climate Action
The types of projects which would qualify for the EEIMP pool include clean cookstoves, clean drinking water, and small biogas plants.
Technology background
Clean Cookstoves
In many of the world's poorer regions, families cook their meals over an open fire, often in enclosed spaces. This method of cooking is highly inefficient as large amounts of heat go to waste. Clean cookstoves are often simple devices made from metal or clay that use energy more efficiently. Families can thus save fuel and cut down on CO2 emissions. Sometimes the stoves are even used by small businesses.
Clean Drinking Water / Improved Well Infrastructure
Two billion people in the world have no access to clean drinking water. Many families have to boil their drinking water over an open fire, resulting in carbon emissions and deforestation. Where water can be cleaned chemically (e.g. with chlorine) or mechanically (with filters), or where groundwater can be provided from wells, these carbon emissions can be avoided.
Small scale biogas
Biogas projects seek to facilitate low-carbon investments in the production and utilization of biogas, often from agro-waste, in rural communities. These projects help avoid methane emissions and the captured gas is used to meet residential energy requirements, mainly for cooking and space heating.
Proposal
Work with C3 and a partner network to develop the final specifications of the EEIMP pool so that it can launch upon a tokenization framework being established from Gold Standard, Verra, or other ICROA-endorsed methodology.
Pool specification & Methodologies
GS Methodologies
-Reduced emissions from cooking and heating – Technologies and Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption (TPDDTEC)
-Emission reductions from Safe Drinking Water Supply
Verra Methodologies
-VMR0006 Methodology for Installation of High Efficiency Firewood Cookstoves
-VM0018 Energy Efficiency and Solid Waste Diversion Activities within a Sustainable Community, v1.0
Cutoff vintage: 2016; +1 year on year.
Resources
1) Gold Standard - Evaluating the benefits of improved cooking solutions
2) PwC's carbon offset projects: Tackling household air pollution and deforestation
3) Carbon finance: unlocking investments for safe water?
4) Climate Partner - Small biogas plants, Bagepalli, India