About the Gatsibo climate protection project
The Gatsibo district is a predominantly rural area of Rwanda. The local population uses traditional but inefficient three-stone cooking fires for boiling water for drinking and general use. Burning wood, which first has to be cut, releases greenhouse gases. Clean drinking water from the borehole reduces the need for firewood by 70 percent compared to the traditional and commonplace three-stone fire. This helps reduce deforestation, conserving local forests and natural habitats. Furthermore, it gives people a safe supply of water and protection against disease. The project not only helps reduce CO2 emissions but also preserves biodiversity and the health of the people living in the area. Another positive effect of the undertaking is the improvement of the lives of women and girls who had previously spent much of their time gathering and transporting firewood. Now there is more time for school, vocational training and paid work.