The Qori Q'oncha Program is a Gold Standard-certified clean cooking initiative launched in 2008 by Microsol to improve the lives of rural families living in the high Andean regions of Peru. The project replaces traditional open-fire stoves with improved cookstoves that reduce fuel consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide cleaner indoor air. To date, the program has installed 134,573 improved cookstoves, reduced more than 2.8 million tonnes of CO₂e, and benefited over 601,000 people. In addition to supporting climate action, the project contributes to seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty reduction, good health, quality education, clean energy, economic growth, climate action, and life on land.
Beyond emissions reductions, Qori Q'oncha delivers significant social and environmental benefits by reducing indoor air pollution, improving family health, decreasing pressure on Andean forests through lower firewood consumption, and saving households time spent collecting fuel and cooking. These time savings create greater opportunities for education, income-generating activities, and community participation, particularly for women. Revenue generated from the sale of Gold Standard-certified carbon credits is reinvested into awareness campaigns, training, and the continued expansion of clean cooking technologies, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and improved quality of life for vulnerable communities.