Improved Insulation and Stoves, Mongolia

This energy efficiency project is based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, which is the world’s coldest capital city. The poorest households in this area of Mongolia spend up to 40% of their monthly winter income on heating fuels. The ger (yurt) districts of the city can benefit from advanced insulation ‘blankets’ that reduce heating costs.

The five-layer ger (yurt) blanket reduces fuel requirement by up to 60%. Efficient stoves reduce indoor air pollution by 80%, significantly reducing lung diseases. Designed with an insulated combustion chamber, the stoves retain heat for longer and at a higher temperature. Additionally, the project works with microfinance institutions to support with initial costs.

This Gold Standard project has set up supply and distribution chains for stove and insulation products; supporting local production, creating jobs, and reducing indoor air pollution and fuel costs. This is a unique project offering dual improvements in energy efficiency and has a significant impact on the respiratory health and financial security of the local population.

In addition to delivering emissions reductions to help take urgent action to combat climate change (SDG 13), the project delivers a number of other sustainable development benefits. These include:

• No Poverty: Increases proportion of population living in households with access to basic services
• Good Health and Well-being: Decreases mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution
• Gender Equality: Decreases proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location
• Affordable and Clean Energy: Increases proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology
• Decent Work and Economic Growth: Increases proportion of informal employment in non‑agriculture employment, by sex