SolarAid Director speaks to Carbon Markets Africa

SolarAid Executive Director Nick Sireau presented the organisation's carbon reduction programme to the Carbon Markets Africa conference in Cape Town, South Africa, on Wednesday 19 November. He explained how the conversion or replacement of kerosene lamps by solar lamps can lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions once scaled-up.

SolarAid projects in East Africa involve training solar entrepreneurs to build and sell their own solar products. This allows them to generate income for themselves as well as carbon credits through the replacement of kerosene for lighting by solar energy. Indeed, SolarAid's research shows that the average kerosene lamp used by rural households in East Africa produces around one tonne of CO2 over 10 to 14 years.

Nick explained SolarAid's programme to the Carbon Markets Africa programme and invited investors, NGOs and funders to become involved. SolarAid is currently going through the final stages of the Gold Standard process, which strictly assesses the development and environmental benefits of CO2 reduction programmes.