Introduction
Traditional cooking methods contribute to 3–4 million premature deaths annually and account for 2–5% of global black carbon emissions, a potent short-lived climate pollutant. Clean cookstove projects address both climate change and public health by replacing inefficient, polluting stoves with cleaner alternatives. In 2025, these projects are more critical than ever, offering a unique opportunity to reduce emissions, improve indoor air quality, and empower women and girls.
Yet, not all cookstove projects deliver equal impact. Issues like overcrediting, faulty technology, and low adoption rates have plagued the sector, making it essential to focus on projects with high integrity, transparency, and proven results. This article highlights the five best cookstove carbon credit projects of 2025, selected for their top ratings from Sylvera and BeZero, and explains how to choose the right project for your sustainability goals.
What is a Carbon Credit?
A carbon credit represents one metric ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases that has been either removed from the atmosphere or prevented from being emitted. These credits are generated by projects that reduce, avoid, or sequester emissions—such as reforestation, renewable energy, or clean cooking initiatives. Companies, governments, and individuals can purchase carbon credits to offset their own emissions, helping them achieve net-zero or carbon-neutral goals. Each credit is verified by independent third parties to ensure its legitimacy, preventing double-counting and ensuring real climate impact. Carbon credits play a crucial role in financing sustainable development, particularly in regions where traditional funding is scarce, while providing a measurable way to compensate for unavoidable emissions.
What Are Clean Cookstove Projects?
Clean cookstove projects replace traditional, polluting stoves with more efficient, less polluting alternatives, such as improved biomass, LPG, or electric stoves. These projects aim to:
Reduce emissions of CO2 and black carbon, a potent short-lived climate pollutant.
Improve indoor air quality, reducing respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
Empower women and girls by reducing the time spent collecting fuel and cooking.
Support local economies through job creation and fuel savings.
Cookstove projects are scalable and cost-effective, making them a key solution for both climate action and sustainable development.
Why Cookstove Credits Matter in 2025
In 2025, cookstove credits are gaining traction for several reasons. Black carbon, the second-largest contributor to global warming after CO2, can be significantly reduced through clean cookstove projects, helping to slow near-term climate change. These projects also play a crucial role in preventing millions of premature deaths caused by indoor air pollution, particularly among women and children.
Beyond climate and health benefits, clean cookstove initiatives contribute to social equity by creating jobs, reducing fuel costs, and freeing up time for education and economic activities. As a result, corporations are increasingly seeking high-integrity, community-focused cookstove projects to meet their ESG and net-zero goals.
The 5 Best Cookstove Carbon Credits of 2025
To identify the top cookstove projects of 2025, we focused on those with the highest ratings from Sylvera and BeZero, two of the most trusted carbon credit rating agencies. These projects stand out for their additionality, permanence, co-benefits, and transparency.
Project Name | Verification Standard | Location | Annual Impact (CO2) | Co-Benefits | Transparency Tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BURN Manufacturing (AIM Carbon) | Gold Standard, VCS | Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania | 1.5M+ tons/year | Health, gender equality, job creation | Digital MRV, IoT sensors, real-time monitoring |
EcoSafi (GS11352 & GS12082) | Gold Standard | Kenya | 500K+ tons/year | Women’s empowerment, fuel savings, education | Blockchain tracking, community surveys |
Toyola Energy | Gold Standard | Ghana | 300K+ tons/year | Air quality, economic development, local manufacturing | Pay-as-you-go adoption tracking, third-party audits |
Envirofit International | VCS, Gold Standard | India, Africa, Latin America | 1M+ tons/year | Child health, fuel efficiency, job creation | Satellite data, independent verification |
Inyenyeri | Gold Standard | Rwanda | 200K+ tons/year | Forest conservation, women’s health, education | Biometric monitoring, public impact reports |
1. BURN Manufacturing (AIM Carbon)
Location: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
Annual CO2 Impact: 1.5M+ tons/year
Project Type: Improved Biomass and Electric Cookstoves
Overview
BURN Manufacturing, in partnership with AIM Carbon, is launching the largest-ever digitally monitored cookstove project, distributing 1.2 million stoves across Africa. The project uses digital MRV (dMRV) technology, including IoT sensors and real-time monitoring, to ensure transparency and accuracy in carbon accounting. BURN’s stoves are among the highest-rated by Sylvera and BeZero, setting a new standard for integrity in the clean cooking sector.
Key Benefits
Climate: Avoids over 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually by replacing traditional stoves with highly efficient biomass and electric alternatives.
Health: Reduces indoor air pollution by 90%, preventing respiratory diseases and improving child health.
Community: Creates local jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and maintenance, with a focus on empowering women.
Why It Stands Out
BURN’s use of digital monitoring and real-time data sharing with rating agencies ensures unparalleled transparency. The project is expected to achieve an even higher rating from Sylvera and BeZero, making it a top choice for corporations seeking high-integrity credits.
2. EcoSafi
Location: Kenya
Annual CO2 Impact: 500K+ tons/year
Project Type: Biomass Pellet Cookstoves
Overview
EcoSafi is the first cookstove project in Africa to receive an ‘A’ rating from BeZero, the highest rating ever given to a cookstove project. The project distributes clean, modern stoves powered by sustainable biofuel pellets, reducing deforestation and improving indoor air quality. EcoSafi’s model includes blockchain tracking and community surveys to ensure adoption and impact. The GS11352 and GS12082 projects are part of EcoSafi’s portfolio, recognized for their high integrity and community benefits.
Key Benefits
Climate: Avoids 500,000+ tons of CO2 annually by replacing traditional stoves with pellet-based alternatives.
Health: Reduces household air pollution by 80%, lowering the risk of respiratory and heart diseases.
Community: Provides education and healthcare access for women and children, along with fuel savings.
Why It Stands Out
EcoSafi’s high rating reflects its exceptional additionality, transparency, and community impact. The project’s focus on sustainable biofuels and gender equality makes it a leader in the cookstove sector.
3. Toyola Energy
Location: Ghana
Annual CO2 Impact: 300K+ tons/year
Project Type: Improved Biomass Cookstoves
Overview
Toyola Energy is a Gold Standard-certified project that manufactures and distributes locally made, durable cookstoves in Ghana. The project uses a pay-as-you-go model to ensure affordability and high adoption rates. Toyola’s stoves are designed to reduce fuel use by 50% and cut indoor air pollution by 60%.
Key Benefits
Climate: Avoids 300,000+ tons of CO2 annually by improving stove efficiency and reducing fuelwood consumption.
Health: Lowers exposure to harmful smoke, reducing respiratory infections and eye diseases.
Community: Supports local manufacturing and creates jobs for women in stove production and distribution.
Why It Stands Out
Toyola’s pay-as-you-go model and local production ensure long-term adoption and economic benefits for communities. The project’s Gold Standard certification guarantees high integrity and transparency.
4. Envirofit International
Location: India, Africa, Latin America
Annual CO2 Impact: 1M+ tons/year
Project Type: Improved Biomass and LPG Cookstoves
Overview
Envirofit International is a global leader in clean cookstove technology, with projects across India, Africa, and Latin America. The company’s stoves are Gold Standard and VCS certified, and it uses satellite data and independent verification to ensure accurate carbon accounting. Envirofit’s stoves reduce fuel use by up to 60% and cut indoor air pollution by 80%.
Key Benefits
Climate: Avoids over 1 million tons of CO2 annually by replacing traditional stoves with efficient biomass and LPG alternatives.
Health: Improves indoor air quality, reducing respiratory diseases and child mortality.
Community: Creates local jobs in manufacturing, sales, and maintenance, with a focus on women’s empowerment.
Why It Stands Out
Envirofit’s global scale and rigorous monitoring make it one of the most trusted cookstove projects in the world. Its Gold Standard and VCS certifications ensure high-quality credits.
5. Inyenyeri
Location: Rwanda
Annual CO2 Impact: 200K+ tons/year
Project Type: Biomass Pellet Cookstoves
Overview
Inyenyeri is a Gold Standard-certified project that distributes clean, pellet-based cookstoves in Rwanda. The project uses biometric monitoring to track stove usage and ensure adoption. Inyenyeri’s stoves reduce fuel use by 70% and cut indoor air pollution by 90%, making them one of the most effective cookstove solutions available.
Key Benefits
Climate: Avoids 200,000+ tons of CO2 annually by replacing traditional stoves with pellet-based alternatives.
Health: Dramatically improves indoor air quality, reducing respiratory diseases and eye infections.
Community: Supports local fuel production and creates jobs for women in stove distribution and maintenance.
Why It Stands Out
Inyenyeri’s use of biometric monitoring ensures high adoption rates and accurate carbon accounting. The project’s Gold Standard certification and focus on women’s health and education make it a standout in the cookstove sector.
Challenges in Cookstove Carbon Projects
While cookstove projects offer significant climate and social benefits, the sector faces several challenges that buyers should be aware of:
Overcrediting
Some cookstove projects have faced criticism for inflated emissions baselines, which can result in credits that do not accurately represent real reductions. For example, studies indicate that many projects monitor less than 1% of distributed stoves, raising concerns about the accuracy of their reported impacts.
To address this issue, it is recommended to look for projects with conservative baselines and third-party validation, particularly those rated AA or higher by organizations like BeZero or Sylvera.
Faulty Technology and Low Adoption
Many stoves may break down, be used incorrectly, or be abandoned due to cultural preferences or issues with fuel availability. For instance, rocket stoves, a common type of improved cookstove, have sometimes been found to increase black carbon emissions rather than reduce them.
To mitigate these risks, prioritize projects that offer durable stoves, include local maintenance programs, and provide verified usage data, such as through IoT sensors or regular household surveys.
Health and Social Claims
Not all cookstove projects deliver the health benefits they promise, especially if users revert to traditional cooking methods. Qualitative claims about health improvements can be uncertain without robust monitoring and evidence.
To ensure credibility, choose projects that include long-term monitoring and provide evidence of sustained behavior change among users.
Equity and Accessibility
Some cookstove projects fail to reach the poorest households or exclude women from decision-making processes, which can limit their social impact.
To address this, support projects that implement inclusive distribution models and offer gender-focused training to ensure equitable access and participation.
Lessons for Buyers
When evaluating cookstove projects, a due diligence checklist should include verifying additionality, adoption rates, and independent audits. Be cautious of red flags such as lack of transparency, vague health claims, or the absence of post-distribution follow-up.
How to Choose the Right Cookstove Credit for Your Business
When selecting cookstove credits, consider several key factors:
Permanence is crucial, so look for projects with multi-year monitoring and high user retention rates. Ensure that emissions reductions are real and additional, rather than simply replacing stoves that would have been adopted regardless.
Align the project’s co-benefits with your ESG goals, such as health improvements, gender equality, or local economic development. Prioritize projects with certifications from reputable standards like Gold Standard or VCS, and ensure they have robust social safeguards in place.
Transparency is also essential, so demand open data on stove usage, emissions reductions, and community feedback. Finally, consider your budget, as cookstove credits typically range from $10 to $30 per ton, depending on the co-benefits and overall project quality.
The Future of Cookstove Projects: Trends to Watch in 2025–2030
The cookstove sector is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation, policy shifts, and growing corporate demand. Key trends shaping the future include policy shifts, where governments are integrating clean cooking into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), creating new incentives for high-quality projects.
Technological innovations, such as IoT-enabled stoves, pay-as-you-go financing, and blockchain tracking, are improving transparency and adoption rates. Additionally, market growth is accelerating as demand for high-impact, community-driven projects rises, with corporations increasingly seeking to meet their net-zero and ESG goals.
By 2030, cookstove projects could become one of the most important tools for achieving global climate and health goals. Early adopters who invest in high-quality projects today will be well-positioned to lead the transition to a cleaner, healthier future.
Conclusion
Clean cookstove projects offer a powerful way to combine climate action with social impact, but only when designed and implemented with integrity. The five projects highlighted here—BURN Manufacturing, EcoSafi, Toyola Energy, Envirofit International, and Inyenyeri—represent the gold standard in cookstove carbon credits for 2025, delivering real emissions reductions, health benefits, and community empowerment.
For businesses looking to invest in high-quality offsets, these projects provide a reliable way to meet sustainability goals while supporting global health and equity. As the market continues to evolve, partnering with trusted advisors can help you navigate the complexities and make informed choices.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Regreener today to explore how cookstove credits can enhance your sustainability strategy and create lasting impact.
