Partner for development and climate action

Profile & Contact

Recognised as a ‘Social Enterprise’ by the World Economic Forum, South Pole has been at the forefront of decarbonisation since 2006. Since then, South Pole has developed nearly 1,000 carbon offset projects around the world, reducing global emissions by over one gigatonne. In addition to reducing emissions, our projects create social and environmental value – especially for less privileged communities that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

South Pole also advises companies and non-profit organisations on preparing their carbon footprints, reducing their emissions and developing holistic sustainability strategies. South Pole’s clients include leading companies such as Microsoft, Schott AG, L’Oreal and Adidas as well as NGOs such as WWF and Brot für die Welt. Together with its clients and partners, South Pole develops customised climate protection measures and supports the implementation of climate protection measures on site.

South Pole Deutschland
Urbanstraße 71
10967 Berlin
Germany
+49 (0) 178 272 8420

info@southpole.com

Open website

Photo credits: South Pole

Specifications

Project countries and regions:

Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania

Project sectors:

Renewable energies, Energy efficiency & fuel switching (e.g. from coal to gas), Sustainable agriculture and land use, Afforestation, forest or peatland conservation, Waste management or landfill gas

Co-benefits/Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 14 – Life below Water, SDG 15 – Life on Land, SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

Target group:

Small enterprises, Schools, Local communities

Employed project standards:

Clean Development Mechanism + Gold Standard (CDM CER + GS), Gold Standard bzw. Gold Standard for the Global Goals (GS VER), Fairtrade Climate Standard (GS VER + Fairtrade), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) + Social Carbon Standard (SCS), Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) + Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards (CCBS), Plan Vivo (PVC)

Legal form:

Commercial

Portfolio:

Own climate protection projects:

Offers and services:

Tailored CO2e footprint accounting, Open-access CO2e footprint calculation tool, Marketing support, Projects with a biodiversity focus, Projects with insetting approach (linked to supply chains)

Specific features:

Global presence and experts on all continents, expertise in complex supply chains, innovative solutions and customised climate strategies.

PROJECT EXAMPLE

Efficient cookstoves in urban areas of Maputo province

Project background

How can cookstoves counteract deforestation?

Over 1 million people live in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. In urban and suburban areas, 74% of the population use traditional, inefficient charcoal stoves. The use of these conventional stoves is harmful to health. In addition, the increasing demand for charcoal is one of the main causes of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

As part of the Maputo project run by South Pole, fuel-efficient charcoal-fuelled stoves (the locally manufactured Mbaula Poupa+ model) are distributed to local families, helping to reduce their daily charcoal consumption. This reduction has a positive impact on the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions and is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 13. In addition, the project activities contribute to sustainable development at local level.

The project thus makes an important contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supports Goals 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health and well-being), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 15 (life on land), among others.

Country/Region

Maputo, Mozambique

Technology

Energy efficiency – private households

Standard

GS, Micro-Scale

Status and duration

In operation 2020-2025 (possibility of extension)

Target group

The project offers the local population additional sources of income and, above all, sustainably improves their health. Around 12,000 families benefit from the project.

Effect achieved

Average annual emission reductions: 80,000 tonnes CO2e

Co-benefits achieved

In addition to preventing and reducing deforestation, this project focuses on improving the health of the local population. Among the biggest benefits of the efficient cookstoves are the reduction of smoke pollution, air pollution, respiratory diseases and injuries for the people in the local communities. Thanks to faster cooking, families have more time to invest in other important activities such as education and income generation. This leads to a reduction in the local poverty rate.

Local cooperation partners

Carbonsink & AVSI Foundation

Link to further project examples