Malawi Project Seeks to Localise Carbon Trading
Malawi has the potential to generate US$440 million per year from carbon trading.
LILONGWE, Malawi – Self Help Africa has launched a project to empower Malawians to participate in carbon trading, writes Brenard Mwanza.
The organisation believes the initiative will provide local companies and community groups with more resources for development and allow them to engage in socially responsible practices.
Charles Matewere, Self Help Africa Project Manager for Coordinating and Monitoring Entity, explained that carbon trading allows organisations to earn income and contribute to their communities.
He added that Self Help Africa is prepared to offer technical and financial aid to those who need assistance, including helping local businesses and organisations access carbon finance for cleaner cooking technologies.
"As Safe Help Africa we are taking the leading role to make sure that we open the doors for several people that do not have these capacities—the financial, the technical capacity and the information to take part at this level,” said Matewere.
Benson Chidawomba, Lilongwe City Council Environmental Health Officer, welcomed the project, stating that traditional cooking methods negatively impact people’s health.
“During cooking using firewood, there is the production of carbon dioxide and this smoke sometimes is hazardous to the life of the people and some may develop tuberculosis out of that,” he said.
Steven Mwale, Programs Officer at Bluewave Energies Limited, which sells gas, said that his company is prepared to help the project succeed.
"We are ready to reach more customers who are currently using charcoal or firewood and once the project starts, we will be there making available the product for poor people and everybody else,” said Mwale.
The Malawian government has expressed confidence in the potential of carbon credits to generate revenue. However, they have also highlighted challenges, such as limited climate financing and the complex procedures required to qualify for carbon trading.
Malawi has the potential to generate US$440 million per year from carbon trading.
Carbon trading offers numerous benefits to communities hosting projects, including sustainable development through green job creation, sustainable energy, environmental and biodiversity protection, and climate adaptation and resilience.