Keeling Curve

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How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)', 'Reduces GHGs (e.g., projects that reduce sources of GHGs, such as through efficiency or other changes in consumption)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

The *Eco Akan* program directly empowers women in the Borgou region (Northern Benin), particularly in rural areas, by providing new income-generating activities such as waste sales. Through women’s agricultural cooperatives, we train them to collect and process agricultural waste, which was previously burned in the fields, contributing to pollution and environmental degradation. These women, often marginalized in rural communities, now play a key role in producing biofuels for cooking, replacing polluting charcoal and improving health conditions. By offering women economic opportunities through waste collection and biofuel production, Eco Akan not only reduces energy poverty but also strengthens their role in local economies and decision-making processes.

Furthermore, the ecological fuels produced are intended for households in energy-poor communities. By addressing both environmental and social challenges such as poverty and lack of access to clean energy, Eco Akan helps these communities, who are on the frontline of the climate crisis, reduce their dependence on harmful energy sources. Smile Wastes prioritizes inclusivity, with women at the core of the program, ensuring they have the tools, skills, and platform to lead in the fight against climate change. This approach ensures diverse representation in both the program and our organizational structure.

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