CPA 009 – Charcoal Stoves in Kenya

Audit Analysis

The BioLite Improved Cook Stoves Programme in Kenya is a VVB-verified energy-efficiency project with confirmed additionality and a quantified 5% leakage deduction, but it is burdened by an extensive list of material findings and corrective actions spanning data inconsistencies, database linking errors, and methodology variations across its portfolio of VPAs. The project-specific baseline (rather than jurisdictional), absence of a stated buffer pool, and CORSIA eligibility introduce moderate risk. Overall, the project demonstrates a functional MRV system with a reputable VVB, but the volume of unresolved quality issues and documentation contradictions temper confidence in the integrity of the credit claims.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Extensive list of material findings and corrective actions (15+ CARs) covering data inconsistencies, database linking errors across vintages, and methodology variations in the Bold parameter across VPAs, indicating systemic monitoring quality issues
• ⚠No buffer pool percentage stated in any available document, leaving permanence risk unquantified despite the project being a multi-year energy-efficiency programme
• ⚠CORSIA eligibility confirmed while CCP status is not mentioned, creating potential dual-channel crediting risk
• ⚠Baseline method contradiction: the 2025 verification report states a project-specific baseline while the 2020 monitoring report references a jurisdictional baseline, raising questions about which baseline is actually in use
• ⚠Crediting period start date discrepancy: 2021-01-01 (2022 VR) vs 2018-01-19 (2025 MR), affecting the pro-rata ERR calculation and the project's actual vintage history

Credit Vintages