OUR VISION
THE WAY
We Imagine a future where every household has access to affordable and sustainable cooking solutions that promote health, reduce pollution, and conserve natural resources.
OUR WHY
THE CHALLENGE
Over 80% of Kenyan households rely on charcoal and firewood for energy, reflecting a broader trend in Sub-Saharan Africa, which produces 65% of the world's charcoal. Globally, 2.4 billion people lack clean cooking options, often using inefficient stoves and open fires fueled by wood and charcoal. Despite Sustainable Development Goal 7 aiming for clean fuel access by 2030, challenges like high costs and weak supply chains make switching difficult for Africa's 430 million people living in poverty. Charcoal use in Africa could triple by 2050 due to urbanization, population growth, and the high cost of cleaner alternatives. However, charcoal's finite supply cannot meet this growing demand, posing environmental, health, and poverty-related challenges.
MITIGATING DEFORESTATION
MITIGATING DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is the most notable adverse effect of charcoal and firewood consumption. It leads to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, water pollution, and disrupts water cycles, contributing to desertification. It's a contributing factor in the loss of one-third of African forests, threatening ecological health and diversity.
We are investing in solutions to transition people away from dirty fuels. Our approach transforms agricultural byproducts, typically burned or left to decompose, into sustainable biofuels, embracing circular economy principles. Our solutions mitigate deforestation and habitat loss, crucial for preserving global biodiversity and combating climate change, addressing SDG 15.
ENHANCING
PUBLIC HEALTH
Charcoal production, and consumption with inefficient stoves, particularly indoors, exposes individuals, especially women and children, to harmful pollutants and smoke, leading to the inhaling of toxic fumes that causes respiratory infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, strokes, and various other health issues. In 2020 alone, these hazards prematurely claimed 3.2 million lives globally, including 700,000 in Sub-Saharan Africa alone, of which 237,000 children under five.
Our solutions significantly improve health risks associated with traditional charcoal and firewood use. We address these challenges by offering a smokeless alternative, drastically reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses like lung cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, burns, and cataracts. By reducing reliance on open fires and solid fuels, our approach directly aligns with SDG 3 by decreasing indoor air pollution and associated health risks. By improving air quality and reducing health hazards, our solution fosters greater health equity, enhancing educational and income generation opportunities, especially in communities disproportionately affected by these health risks.
ENHANCING
PUBLIC HEALTH
MITIGATING
CLIMATE CHANGE
MITIGATING
CLIMATE CHANGE
The production and use of traditional charcoal and firewood contributes significantly to global emissions, causing 7% of global anthropogenic emissions, largely due to inefficient carbonization and harmful combustion processes. Our solution combats this issue by utilizing biomass, including agricultural waste, as a renewable energy source. This approach not only reduces emissions from charcoal production but also offsets carbon dioxide through sustainable practices. By transforming waste into clean energy, we achieve a dual benefit: reducing harmful emissions and contributing positively to the fight against climate change. Our alternatives, with lower emissions and efficient production, aligns with SDG 13, aiding in the global effort to mitigate climate change impacts.
The commercial use of HOTA briquettes is expected to result in the absorption of tons of CO2, equivalent to the amount sequestered by the number of trees saved.
IMPROVING
LIVELIHOODS
In Kenya, traditional cooking methods disproportionately affect women and children. Women, tasked with cooking and fuel collection, face health risks and time constraints that limit income opportunities. This burden also hinders the education of children, particularly girls, involved in these tasks.
To help address this, we are creating jobs, and educational opportunities in Kenya. Our main focus is to place women at the forefront, and empower women for greater inclusion and equality, creating equal opportunities that significantly improve livelihoods and foster local economic development.
Our solutions contribute to eradicating poverty (SDG 1) through time and money-saving products, making energy safer and more accessible. Our efficient cookstoves and briquettes cook faster and use less fuel, allowing children, especially girls, more time for education (SDG 4), and enabling women, who are often responsible for cooking and procuring fuel, to engage in more productive income generating tasks (SDG 5). Our commitment extends to providing access to clean energy (SDG 7) and promoting decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
