Utsil Naj - healthy homes for all in Guatemala

SELLER

Microsol

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Context: Confronting the Dry Corridor Crisis
Guatemala remains one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations. Situated at the heart of the "Dry Corridor," the country faces unprecedented drought cycles and erratic rainfall. For the 77% of the rural population living in poverty, these shifts are not just environmental but also economic. Disrupted crop yields directly threaten the food security and financial stability of families who depend entirely on subsistence farming.

Our Solution: Technology Rooted in Tradition
Utsil Naj is a large-scale, multi-intervention program designed to elevate living standards through sustainable technology. Understanding that Central American culinary traditions, centered on tortillas and beans, require specific heat profiles, Microsol has successfully engineered high efficiency cookstoves tailored to Guatemala’s cultural heritage. They have bridged the gap between traditional practices and modern, smoke-free efficiency.

Strategic Impact and local synergy
Operating through a network of specialized local partners, Utsil Naj transforms community trust into tangible results. To date, the project in Guatemala has deployed over 3,000 improved cookstoves, delivering life changing benefits to more than 19,000 individuals. By eliminating indoor air pollution, we are securing a healthier future for the most remote and vulnerable highlands.

A Social Business Model
As a purpose driven social enterprise, Microsol reinvests 100% of carbon credit revenues back into project scalability and long-term maintenance. They actively collaborate with the Guatemalan government and international bodies to align their roadmaps with national climate commitments. Their philosophy is clear: lasting impact is only achieved by integrating global carbon finance with deep community engagement.

Project impacts and benefits

Utsil Naj delivers a comprehensive ROI by integrating health, environmental, and socio-economic advancements. The project serves as a catalyst for women’s empowerment, significantly reducing domestic labor and fuel-wood collection. By reclaiming productive time, women and children can pivot toward education and income-generating opportunities. Furthermore, high efficiency technology directly mitigates CO2 emissions and preserves Guatemala’s critical biodiversity by curbing forest degradation.

• SDG 1 | No Poverty: Enhancing resilience for rural households by securing access to essential services, clean water, and sustainable infrastructure. Over 3,000 individuals empowered through direct access to clean technology.
• SDG 3 | Good Health & Well-Being: Near-total elimination of indoor air pollution; beneficiaries report a drastic reduction in respiratory illnesses and ocular infections. 99% of beneficiaries report a total elimination or significant reduction in respiratory illnesses and burns; 99% report improved physical health (reduction in back pain).
• SDG 4 | Quality Education: Optimized domestic workflows allow children to prioritize school attendance and academic performance. 57% of participants trained in sustainable technology management.
• SDG 7 | Affordable & Clean Energy: Delivering energy dignity to isolated regions through reliable, low-emission cooking technologies where traditional grids are absent. 700 high-efficiency cookstoves deployed and monitored, securing energy dignity for rural households.
• SDG 8 | Decent Work & Economic Growth: Stimulating the local green economy by creating specialized jobs and fostering community-led enterprise. Generated 2 permanent local jobs, fostering specialized labor in the green economy. 
• SDG 11 | Sustainable cities and communities: On average, each improved cookstove in the program saves 9 kilograms of firewood.
• SDG 12 | Responsible consumption and production: An average 55% reduction in wood consumption per improved cookstove.
• SDG 13 | Climate Action: Over 10,000 tCO2e avoided (2020-2023 period), contributing to Guatemala’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• SDG 15 | Life on Land: Significant reduction in biomass consumption, directly preventing deforestation and protecting the integrity of local ecosystems. 2,000 tons of wood saved annually, directly preventing forest degradation and safeguarding biodiversity.
• SDG 16 | Peace, justice and strong institutions: 100% of the program’s users were informed about the program and approved the installation of the improved cookstove in their households. 

For more information about this project, please visit the Gold Standard Impact Registry or contact the project developer directly Microsol>>

N.B.  Individual vintages cannot be selected for purchase. Purchases will include credits from the vintage range stated.