Namene climate project success as Gold-Standard VERs set to bring solar lights to millions

Following a thorough development and certification process, Namene has sold the first Verified Emissions Reductions (VERs) generated by our climate projects. This integral step solidifies Namene’s ability to provide affordable solar lights at scale, that replace fossil fuel lighting and generate high-impact carbon credits.

Namene is using climate finance to unlock access to affordable solar lighting in rural off grid communities in Africa whilst also enabling companies to offset their unavoidable emissions. Now, the first VERs generated by Namene’s climate project in Zambia have been sold, representing a milestone for the company, whose climate projects are set to generate tens of thousands more VERs over the coming years.

As part of continued activities to reduce their corporate carbon footprint, STEAG Solar Energy Solutions (SENS) purchased the VERs to make a contribution towards offsetting emissions from exhibiting their booth at the Intersolar Europe trade event. This marks the first sale of Namene’s Gold Standard-certified VERs, with SENS becoming the first buyers, as part of their continued sustainability efforts.

Namene’s climate projects help finance truly affordable solar light for low-income families living in off-grid communities, enabling the initial step onto the clean energy ladder and generating each family significant savings by avoiding expenditure on kerosene and candles. Each solar light not only avoids the emissions from fossil fuel lighting, but also provides multiple positive impacts ranging from health benefits to improved education.

“This is an important moment that Namene has been working towards for a number of years. The first sale of our VERs marks the beginning of the next phase in which we successfully leverage climate finance to scale up access of affordable solar light to millions of people across Sub-Saharan Africa as part of Namene Solar’s extensive climate activities,” Climate Director, Bernardo Lazo said.

“By purchasing carbon credits from our solar light projects, companies can contribute to a two-pronged solution to tackle the issues of global warming and universal clean energy access. Bringing truly affordable, clean light to the 700 million people without access to electricity is a huge challenge, but Namene’s climate projects offer communities in energy poverty their first step on the clean energy ladder, whilst offsetting unavoidable emissions for corporates as part of their net zero strategies.”

Managing Director of STEAG Solar Energy Solutions, André Kremer said, “We are pleased to continue our ongoing partnership with Namene. The purchase of these carbon credits contributes to the sustainability of our business activities, whilst supporting the distribution of affordable solar lights and their subsequent health and education benefits, through climate finance.”

Climate projects with economic and environmental benefits

SM100 solar lights are avoid carbon emissions from kerosene lighting.

Namene currently has a programme of climate projects, operating in Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe, with ambitious growth plans in other countries.

The projects entail replacing kerosene or other fossil fuel-based lighting sources with Namene’s award winning solar lights designed with, and for, rural off grid communities in Africa. Each solar light avoids 92kg CO₂ emissions every year, with millions of lights set to be distributed as part of Namene Solar’s climate projects. Alongside reducing carbon emissions, every light creates significant savings for families living in rural and low-income areas, and in many cases, below the poverty line.

Every project must undergo an extensive certification and ongoing audit process overseen by Gold Standard, to meet the highest requirements of the voluntary carbon market. Gold Standard independently reviews and certifies the project’s impacts against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure the highest levels of transparency and accuracy in carbon certification.

The solar light climate projects deliver measurable impact and contribute to three of the SDGs: SDG1: no poverty, SDG7: affordable and clean energy, and SDG13: climate action. Each project also delivers unique co-benefits, including providing additional light hours for children to study, reducing the risk of fires, improving indoor air quality and providing quality employment, training and education for local communities as part of the operations and distribution activities associated with the project.

Climate action is increasingly a priority for companies as they incorporate net zero goals into their operations. By purchasing carbon credits, companies can offset their unavoidable emissions in-line with 2030 goals, and demonstrate responsible, sustainable corporate climate activity through supporting a project with multiple benefits for people and planet.

Namene Solar’s climate activities continue to generate VERs which will be available for corporations and individuals to purchase throughout the course of 2022 and beyond. To find out more about offsetting your emissions with solar lights contact climate@namenesolar.com