How a Udaipur initiative is improving lives while reducing emissions

By Bharat Dogra 

Lakshmi and Reeta are from Sagavara village in Udaipur district, Rajasthan. Three changes in their lives have brought unexpected yet highly welcome improvements for them and their households.

First, they received improved cookstoves that produce much less smoke and consume significantly less firewood. Two types of these stoves—called the Jumbo and the Smart—were made available to them at a highly subsidized price of Rs. 500, compared to their market price of around Rs. 7,000. As these stoves substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions from cooking, their widespread adoption generates carbon credits, which help finance the subsidy. At the same time, the stoves reduce the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to smoke during cooking. Unlike the traditional fixed chulha, these portable stoves can be moved to whichever location is most convenient for cooking at any given time.

The second major change was access to affordable solar lighting solutions. These included the Kisan (Farmer) Torch, inverter bulbs, portable camping lights, and rooftop solar systems. These products provide safer lighting for people working in fields at night, reducing the risk of snakebites and other hazards. They also enable children to study after dark and allow households to continue essential activities during power outages.

The third—and perhaps the most significant—change has been the creation of new livelihood opportunities for rural women. One source of income is monitoring the reduction in emissions achieved through the use of improved cookstoves. Another comes from commissions earned by selling various solar lighting products in villages. By combining these two income streams, many rural women, including those from tribal communities, have significantly increased their earnings, although the exact amount varies according to individual performance.

While women are benefiting through improved health and increased livelihoods, the initiative is also contributing to climate mitigation by promoting renewable energy through solar technologies and reducing emissions from household cooking.

This win-win combination of multiple benefits has emerged through the efforts of the Udaipur Urja (Energy) Initiative Producer Company Limited. The initiative traces its origins to several innovative experiments undertaken years earlier by Seva Mandir, one of Rajasthan's leading voluntary organizations. As these efforts matured, they evolved into a farmer producer organization and eventually into an independent company. Nevertheless, Seva Mandir's long-standing relationship of trust with rural communities continues to support the Udaipur Urja Initiative in expanding its work across the region.

Many women associated with the initiative expressed great enthusiasm when I spoke with them recently. Rajnish Kumar, Area Manager of the Udaipur Urja Initiative, said, "Many women are happy that they have emerged as successful rural entrepreneurs with opportunities for further progress."

The initiative has further strengthened its contribution to climate mitigation by promoting tree planting, encouraging natural farming, and supporting the processing of naturally grown agricultural produce, particularly pulses. These farming and processing activities help reduce dependence on fossil fuels in rural areas while providing consumers with nutritious, healthy food and enabling farmers to earn better returns from their produce.

Thus, Udaipur Urja is demonstrating how climate mitigation can be effectively integrated with livelihood creation, the strengthening of existing livelihoods, improvements in women's health, and the provision of reliable, rural-friendly lighting solutions. The economic viability of the model depends to a large extent on earning adequate carbon credits for verified emission reductions. These carbon credits make it possible to provide improved cookstoves at highly affordable prices while also creating employment opportunities for local women through emissions monitoring.

There has been considerable debate about the most economically efficient ways to advance climate mitigation. Carbon credits have been assigned an important role in this effort, but some carbon credit models have also attracted legitimate criticism and raised important concerns. It is therefore essential to be selective and cautious in determining which models deserve support and trust. Judging by the available evidence, however, the Udaipur Urja Initiative appears to represent a particularly promising model. With appropriate support and continued safeguards, it has the potential to expand its benefits to many more people living in remote villages.

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The writer is Honorary Convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children and Planet in Peril. His website is bharatdogra.in, and his YouTube channel is Bharat Dogra Save Earth Campaign