Trees, Water & People has been named co-laureate for the 2009-10 UN Environment Program (UNEP) Sasakawa Prize.The project spearheaded by TWP works in partnership with local NGOs and self help groups in order to distribute fuel efficient cook stoves in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti and Nicaragua.
TWP has helped in providing and building more than 35,000 stoves which has benefited more than 175,000 people so far.
TWP offers a variety of stove models to meet the needs of different communities while conserving trees and decreasing emissions from deforestation. The Justa Stove burns 70% less wood, saving families between US$1 - $5 per day. They also decrease harmful carbon emissions by 1 tonne CO2 equivalent per year per stove for domestic users and 3.5 tonnes CO2 equivalent per year for commercial users, such as tortilla makers.
In order to supplement the trees used in the fuel-efficient stoves, the project also includes reforestation efforts to sequester carbon and counter the effects of deforestation. TWP has assisted in the creation of 16 community-run nurseries that produce 650,000 trees each year. TWP’s reforestation efforts have led to the planting of three million trees to date throughout Latin America.
The accolade also includes $200,000 which TWP will use in supporting and expanding the fuel efficient stove projects and nurseries across indoor air pollution affected countries that include Central America and the Caribbean as well as purchasing necessary equipment and materials which will help in boosting the production of smoke less cook stoves.
