Biomass Energy Conservation Programme

A recent study in Malawi showed that switching from a three-stone fire to a Chitetezo Mbaula stove reduces the amount of particles emitted by 46% and carbon monoxide by 44%. A well-tuned stove can reduce firewood consumption by up to 80%, knowing that Malawi suffered 57% deforestation between 1972 and 1992. The Chitetezo Mbaula stove also reduces each family's emissions by about 2 tCO2e each year.

Malawi is one of the World's poorest, most vulnerable countries.  It is a Landlocked Least Developed Country.

The vast majority of Malawians do not have access to electricity.  The only way they can soften their carbohydrates in order to avoid starvation is by burning wood to boil water.

Globally, more than 50% of premature deaths among children under 5 are due to pneumonia caused by particulate matter (soot) inhaled from household air pollution (i.e. cooking with wood). Besides from contributing to the death of 2 million infants each year due to wood-smoke inhalation, inefficient stove technologies contribute to deforestation, unsafe conditions in the home and soil erosion.

The Chitetezo Mbaula stove is hand made using local materials, fostering local ingenuity and self-reliance. Implementation is sub-contracted to locally owned businesses and social enterprises (many seeded by Hestian) resulting in skills diversification and job creation. The stove project provides income to over 2,000 people (mostly women in rural areas) to manufacture and promote smoke reducing cookstoves. These businesses are established and growing on a for-profit basis and projects are growing rapidly. Expansion funding comes from CO2 credit sales to buyers from wealthy countries who offset their emissions.