Offset a LOW Carbon Lifestyle
Carbon offsetting is a way to compensate for carbon emissions that you can’t reduce by funding carbon saving projects elsewhere.
You have determined that you have a LOW carbon lifestyle of approximately 5 tonnes annually. This package allows you to offset all your emissions or select individual areas.
We've simplified the process for Individual Carbon Offsets by creating 3 packages based on a low, average and high carbon lifestyle. Offset your annual carbon emissions using the table below.
One Carbon Offset = One tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.
*Please note that calculating your carbon emissions is not an exact science. The table provides suggested tonnes of carbon produced for various lifestyles that can be offset.
If you would like a more accurate calculation of your carbon footprint, you can consult independent calculators (including the two below).
- Flights - Calculate the emissions of your flights using this tool developed by the United Nations
- Various - Detailed calculator from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (imperial system). You can even download the calculator in Excel format.
Once we receive your order, we will request the United Nations to cancel the offsets and issue your certificate.
The UN will then forward a Cancellation Certificate which we will forward to you. It may take a few days for the UN to cancel your offsets.
When the UN cancels your offsets, they also create a public record of this cancellation on their website. You can use the certificate in combination with this public entry as proof that you have offset your emissions.
Example of the United Nations certificate:
40,000
COOKSTOVES BUILT AND IN DAILY USE
80,000
BUNDLES OF WOOD SAVED EVERY WEEK
200,000
PEOPLE BENEFITING
About the Fuel-efficient Cookstove Project
We have helped build 40,000 Changu Changu Moto fuel-efficient cookstoves to replace their inefficient and dangerous three stone fires. Each cookstove saves two bundles of wood per week – that is 80,000 bundles of wood saved every week.
- Safer – less risk of burns and smoke inhalation
- Saves trees – reduces wood used for cooking by using only one third of the firewood
- Saves time and money – saves time collecting wood or saves money buying wood
- Faster cooking – two things can be cooked at the same time on the two burners
- Easy and cheap to build – uses free local materials and takes one hour to build
- Local people love their Changu Changu Moto
Frequently Asked Questions
-
There are all sorts of carbon offsetting projects that reduce carbon emissions, from solar farms, wind turbines, hydroelectric projects to fuel-efficient cookstoves. The prices vary enormously. You need to decide your motivation for whichever project you choose to offset your carbon footprint with. Should it be solely based on price or the other benefits the project delivers?
-
Ripple Africa’s founders didn’t start the project just to sell carbon offsets but wanted to improve the lives of local people in Malawi and protect the remaining forests.
It is one thing to provide a householder with a cookstove and hope they will use it but our experience has shown that long-term commitment and building a relationship with the communities is key to a project being successful. Ripple Africa doesn’t build the stove and walk away but works with households to deliver the long-term education which will ensure the stove will be used for life.
We are proud that more than 200,000 people have their food cooked every day on our Changu Changu Moto fuel-efficient cookstove in Nkhata Bay District. This saves 80,000 bundles of wood every week. This new cooking technology is becoming a way of life and now communities in neighbouring Districts want to benefit from this improved cooking method which makes their lives easier and reduces deforestation.
The other aim was to help fund our other projects so that we can provide the long-term commitment that is needed to make a positive and lasting difference. We reinvest the carbon offsetting income to build more cookstoves, plant trees and conserve existing forests.
So offsetting your unavoidable emissions through our cookstove project is a great solution which benefits the environment and families in Malawi. A great reason to offset your carbon footprint with us.
-
We are continuously working to ensure our efficient cookstove activities are:
- regularly monitored,
- independently audited, and
- verifiable.
Join the many other individuals and corporates that have offset their carbon footprint with us.
-
Our fuel-efficient cookstove projects are registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), operated and administered by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We have applied the rigorous CDM Standard to our activities, to measure our progress and demonstrate accountability and transparency.
Ripple Africa’s founders didn’t start the project just to sell carbon offsets but wanted to improve the lives of the local people in Malawi and protect the remaining forests. The added benefit to you by buying our carbon credits is that the money goes to continue funding fuel-efficient cookstove.