Qori Q’oncha (Golden Cookstoves) - Peru
Context
In the highlands of Peru, 2000 meters above sea level, temperatures can drop to -5°C in the winter. It is estimated that close to 60% of families that live in these communities still cook with solid fuels on open fires inside their homes. In many cases, due to climate conditions such as strong winds and snow, the rooms used as a kitchen have minimal ventilation systems.
In these conditions, family members – mostly women and children- are exposed to harmful gasses generated by the combustion of traditional stoves. This indoor pollution explains the significant incidence of acute respiratory and lung diseases in Andean rural families.
It is important to note that in rural communities high in the mountains, firewood is often the only source of reliable solid fuel available. As a result, deforestation and forest degradation have also become more widespread in Peru. Furthermore, our studies consistently show that each family uses 12 kg. of solid fuel a day, 80% of it is often firewood. This is having a huge impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity.
- Where and when: Peru, South America - 2008
- Technology: Improved Cookstoves
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Project Certification:
The project
Qori Q’oncha - Peru was created to help address these challenges in an innovative way. Evidence shows that switching to improved cookstoves (ICS) reduces the use of firewood and lowers carbon emissions, all while expelling the toxic fumes outside the users’ homes.
The project is adapted to meet the needs of local communities after analysing the public policies in place and finding possible gaps where our contribution can have an impact. The combined action of these initiatives allows the project to be grounded and adapted to the local context. Maintaining the participation and empowerment of local communities is also key to guarantee the long-term success of the project. This is a big reason why we work closely with local communities to make sure the most appropriate solution is implemented and is maintained over time.
Qori Q’oncha, which means “golden cookstoves” in Quechua, is the first programme ever registered with the Gold Standard quality label in 2008, the first-ever diffusing improved cookstoves, and the first programme also to issue carbon credits. It has generated six carbon credits issuances, corresponding to 2.2 million euros given to the partners for the sustainability of their projects. It currently includes projects in six regions of Peru: Piura, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, La Libertad, Pasco, and Junin.
To this date, more than ten years after the first cookstove was implemented, Qori Q'oncha not only helps families adapt to the effects of climate change, it also contributes to the restoration of forests in the Andes and helps families improve their quality of life, decreasing indoor pollution and allowing them to have more time for other income-generating activities.
Impact since the beginning of the programme
thousand
million
million
Qori Q’oncha is proud to be the first improved cookstoves programme certified by the prestigious Gold Standard worldwide. The positive impacts on our communities and our planet are carefully measured and reported as contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations (UN).
Beneficiaries
''Before, with the smoke, my house turned black. Now it doesn't and with this kitchen, I can save firewood and money.''
Lorenzo Gonzales
Chacapampa Community - Junin, Peru
''Thanks to my new cookstove, I don´t have to spend as much time collecting firewood and have more time to dedicate to agriculture''
Felicitas Cordova Torres
Casaorcco Community - Ayacucho, Peru
