Virunga Mountain Gorilla Project

Pollution & Health Energy Forests & Biodiversity Tourism



Improving living conditions and habits through efficient cooking stoves


Project Facts

Location
Rwanda
4 districts - Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze, Burera - around the Volcanoes National Park

Project Volume
100.000-500.000 EUR

Applied Financing Solutions
Carbon Market

Project Dates
Start: 2017 | End: 2024
In operation since/from: 2017

The Story

Often it is already a simple idea that makes a big difference. The best example of this is the Virunga Mountain Gorilla Project, which specializes in protecting one of the world's most biodiverse regions while improving the quality of life for thousands of local people.

The communities around the Volcanoes National Park have always relied heavily on firewood from the surrounding forests: Each household still requires an average of 12 kg of wood per day. More than ever the increasing deforestation is endangering the habitat of rare animal and plant species such as the Mountain Gorillas. This is precisely where the project comes in.

Over a period of seven years, up to 50,000 high-quality energy-efficient cooking stoves are produced locally and made available to the 250.000 people living in the area. While the new stove significantly reduces the daily wood requirement from 12 to 4 kg per capita per day, efficient cooking not only improves the living conditions of the local people, but also protects the forests and the climate. In addition, numerous new jobs have already been created by the production. A benefit for the communities and nature alike!

Success Factor | Hero Moment

A detailed pre-analysis of the local needs and conditions was the most important prerequisite for the success of the project. In addition, good cooperation with all people on site was essential for the implementation, especially in the context of establishing the local, high-quality production of the cooking stoves.

Submitter
Likano Project Development GmbH, Austria

Other Involved Stakeholders
International Gorilla Conservation Program

Contact Mail
office@likano.eu

Website
www.likano.eu/en/virunga-mountain-gorilla-project

Keywords
Biomass, Energy Efficiency, Gold Standard, Conservation

Terminated Emissions
39.800 tons CO2e per year

Comparable to the annual CO2 absorption of
318.400 trees