some of the schemes we help to fund
We support carbon offsetting projects around the world
We pay Climate Care – an organisation dedicated to helping to combat climate change – to deliver carbon offset projects in the developing world. These projects absorb (eg through planting trees) or avoid (eg through being more efficient with energy) equivalent amounts of carbon dioxide to the emissions that we are offsetting. Below are some examples of current projects that The Co-operative Group is funding:
Reforestation in Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda
This is our longest-running project, and the only one that delivers offsets through reforestation. It aims to re-establish rainforest within Kibale Forest National Park in Uganda, much of which was cut down in the 1960s and 70s. The rainforest absorbs carbon dioxide during growth, and effectively locks it up in biomass.
The project also provides a valuable source of employment for up to 400 local seasonal workers, who control the growth of tall elephant grass to protect the emerging tree saplings until they are tall enough to receive sunlight and survive on their own.
Licensing arrangements enable local communities to extract forest resources (such as reeds and grasses for house building) from the Park at sustainable rates, whilst a share in tourism revenue has led to the construction of schools and health clinics.
In 2009 The Co-operative Group offset over 36,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide through this project, through reforesting 91 hectares.
Installing treadle pumps in India
Water pumps are required to irrigate fields outside of the monsoon season in India. Traditional diesel-powered pumps are expensive to use and emit carbon dioxide.
The Co-operative Group is supporting the provision of treadle pumps to local farmers in the West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh regions of India. These manual pumps provide a more sustainable and affordable alternative to diesel-powered pumps, and can be used all year round; increasing productivity and bringing much needed additional income to farming families.
In 2009, carbon offset monies funded approximately 53,000 treadle pumps, which will avoid emissions of 25,300 tonnes of CO2 over three years.
Cambodian cooking stoves
The majority of people in Cambodia depend on charcoal and wood for 
cooking, most commonly using a ‘Lao’ stove. However, the harvesting of wood for charcoal production is responsible for significant damage to Cambodia’s forests.
The Co-operative Group is supporting a project to replace the traditional Lao stove with a more efficient version, leading to a 20% cut in the demand for charcoal and saving around half-a-tonne of carbon dioxide per stove per year. In addition, the reduced use of charcoal improves indoor air quality for stove users.
This project is about more than just creating stoves; it aims to transform the cooking market in Cambodia, so includes training the people involved in manufacturing and retailing the stoves.
In 2009, offset monies helped to fund the construction and supply of approximately 80,800 stoves, which will avoid 121,200 tonnes of CO2 over four years.