GS1247 VPA 164 EcoZoom Improved Stove Programme, Uganda

Audit Analysis

The EcoZoom Improved Stove Programme in Uganda is a Gold Standard cookstove project with VVB-confirmed additionality and a consistent usage rate, but it is weakened by a 0% leakage deduction with an 'not addressed' justification, a project-specific baseline, and the absence of a buffer pool. Eight contradictions across documents—particularly on leakage treatment, FNRB method, and crediting period—reduce confidence in the data record. The project is serviceable but carries moderate over-crediting risk.

Project Description

Red Flags

• ⚠Leakage deduction of 0% with justification recorded as 'not addressed' in the December 2022 verification report, despite the September 2022 report calling it 'deemed negligible'—the inconsistency and lack of a quantified assessment are concerning for a project displacing charcoal and firewood
• ⚠No buffer pool percentage is stated in any available document, leaving no explicit safeguard against potential reversal of avoided emissions if stove usage declines
• ⚠Eight contradictions across the document set (leakage justification, FNRB method, usage rate, ERR figures, crediting period, benefit sharing, monitoring method, reversal events) indicate inconsistent record-keeping
• ⚠Total ERR claimed figure is not found in any available document, preventing a direct claimed-versus-verified comparison

Credit Vintages