Xuyong Biogas Household Gold Standard Project

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China

Clean, Affordable and Convenient Biogas for Poor Rural Households

Expertise

Climate action project development

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Key facts

Location

Xuyong County, Luzhou City, Sichuan, China
Project Type

Renewable Energy – household biogas
AnnualGHG Emissions Reduction

4,500 tCO₂e
Included Households

2,000

Project Standard

Gold Standard
Project IDs

GS 1033
Project Status

Registered and with issuance of GS VERs

Factsheet (English)

Background

The rural areas in Sichuan Province are among the poorest in China. With an average annual per capita cash income of only roundabout 500 Euro, the province contains 43 counties that have been officially defined as national poverty counties in order to facilitate government assistance in the improving of their economic conditions.

The situation has even worsened as a heavy earthquake has claimed the lives of nearly 70,000 people in Sichuan in 2008, leaving another 4.8 million homeless. Furthermore, more than 12 million animals of productive livestock have been killed during the devastating event.

Project Description

The project target is to support up to 2,000 poor Sichuan farmer households by installing efficient biogas digesters on their premises. These proven and reliable systems reduce methane emissions originating from the widely used pits to store animal manure and provide the households with clean biogas for cooking, heating and lighting.

By granting an upfront payment of 500 to 1,000 RMB – in addition to an existing national subsidy scheme – only to those farmers that cannot afford the digester system despite the government aid, the recipients are enabled to raise the necessary investment and to start construction.

Since this project is integrated into the existing infrastructure framework of UPM’s Sichuan Biogas Programme of Activities (PoA), the Rural Energy Offices in Sichuan will additionally provide the project households with free annual maintenance service and on-demand technical support.

Due to the reduction of methane emissions originating from the pits and of carbon dioxide emissions caused by the common use of coal and wood as cooking fuel, the 2,000 chosen households account for an annual GHG emission reduction of approximately 4,500 t CO₂e.

Service provided

Pre-feasibility Study
Registration under Gold Standard
Project management
Monitoring and Issuance of carbon credits

Sustainable development goals MORE DETAILS

No Poverty

After switching to biogas, the households dispose of around 40% higher annual income due to saved energy and fertilizer expenditures, higher agricultural output, etc.

Zero Hunger

Better food security and nutrition because of increased animal welfare and an additional farm land under sustainable and more productive agricultural practices.

Good Health and Well-being

Improved health due to reduced indoor air pollution and better hygiene at the farmer’s premises is particularly beneficial for women and children spending much of their time at home.

Gender Equality

Several jobs have been created for women by the project; new biogas stoves save approx. 1.5 hours cooking time per day for women which is now available for other purposes.

Clean Water and Sanitation

Improved waste management, less fertilizer & pesticide use and better sanitation systems protect soils and water resources and benefit both local people and environment.

Affordable and Clean Energy

All project households get access to clean, reliable, convenient and affordable biogas for cooking, lighting or heating.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

The project creates many jobs related to construction and maintenance of biogas plants in the local biogas sector, thereof some 20% are permanent jobs and 80% temporary jobs.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The project induces considerable investments in domestic biogas technology, related services, as well as modern energy and waste management infrastructure.

Responsible Production and Consumption

Biogas digesters avoid large amounts of untreated manure per year and generate high-quality organic fertilizer from digestate instead.

Climate Action

The project saves approx. 4,500 tCO2e of GHG emissions year by year and reduces annual coal consumption significantly.

Life on Land

Due to the project, annual firewood use has decreased sharply and major portions of chemical fertilizer are replaced by superior and more eco-friendly natural fertilizer.

Partnerships for the Goals

Solid and long-term multi-stakeholder partnership between German and Chinese project participants strengthens international cooperation for the UN SDGs