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Understanding the true value of digital transformation and data collection can be challenging! Going paperless doesn’t just save costs or improve efficiency, it unlocks new opportunities like generating carbon credits to get funds for your organization. One of the first steps towards achieving a carbon credits project is to collect, manage and analyze data as accurately as possible, as this is the main source of information for validation. We understand that starting a project like these might sound challenging, but we’re here to help and share what we’ve learned through our partners and clients.
Last week, we hosted a webinar titled “From Smoke to Carbon Credits”, where we explored how the non-profit Proyecto Mirador uses digital tools like TaroWorks and Salesforce to turn data into impact. Rafael Mendoza Girón, Director of International Operations and Reniery Rodriguez, IT Manager at Proyecto Mirador. Additionally, Iván Hernández CEO and Founder of Sajoma Climate Technical Consulting shared insights on the certification process for carbon credits.
Here’s a recap of the webinar highlights. If you’d like to watch it, click here.
In many rural areas of Latin America, biomass fuels like wood are often the primary energy source due to their low cost and accessibility. Unfortunately, traditional wood-burning stoves contribute to indoor air pollution and severe health problems. It’s estimated that 3.2 million premature deaths occur annually from exposure to wood smoke. Additionally, 40–65% of rural families rely exclusively on firewood for cooking.
This reality became evident in 2004 when volunteers in Atima, Santa Bárbara, Honduras, discovered a critical issue: the overwhelming amount of smoke produced by traditional stoves was a common factor in respiratory and vision problems. Moved to action, a local schoolgirl built 27 eco-friendly stoves with her savings, laying the foundation for what is now Proyecto Mirador.
After its first project, Proyecto Mirador quickly realized the need for sustainable funding to scale its impact over time. In 2006, the organization began the process of obtaining Gold Standard certification, enabling it to generate revenue by selling carbon credits. This was a pivotal moment; each stove built reduces firewood consumption by 47% and mitigates up to 15 metric tons of CO₂ over its six-year lifespan, which translates into great opportunities in the voluntary carbon credits market.
Proyecto Mirador’s approach sets it apart. Each stove is built on-site using local materials, ensuring accessibility and affordability. Post-installation, the project team conducts at least three follow-up visits within the first 14 months. These visits are essential not only for ensuring proper stove usage and maintenance but also for collecting vital data on emissions reductions and health improvements.
This data plays a crucial role in achieving certification and verifying carbon credit eligibility, showcasing how data management directly contributes to the project’s financial sustainability.
To date, Proyecto Mirador has built more than 360,000 stoves in Honduras and Guatemala, benefiting hundreds of thousands of people. Surveys reveal nearly 100% satisfaction among users. The project also saves families 2–3 hours per week that would otherwise be spent collecting firewood, freeing up time for other productive activities.
In 2018, a study demonstrated that Proyecto Mirador positively impacts 10 SDGs, including poverty reduction, improved health, and climate action. The project has already mitigated over 4 million tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions, underscoring its significant contribution to climate change mitigation.
Technology has been a cornerstone of Proyecto Mirador’s success, and according to Iván Hernández, tools like TaroWorks are not just helpful but essential for launching and sustaining a carbon credits project. TaroWorks enables organizations to collect accurate data offline, ensuring it remains safe and secure—key requirements for meeting the rigorous standards of carbon credit certification. Without tools like TaroWorks, the reliability and efficiency needed to scale such a project would be nearly impossible.
Initially, Proyecto Mirador relied on paper-based systems for data collection, which were prone to errors and inefficiencies. Over time, the integration of GPS devices and smartphones significantly improved data accuracy. Today, the project uses a robust platform that combines TaroWorks and Salesforce, allowing for real-time data collection, streamlined management, and enhanced monitoring across all stages of the project.
The data collection process involves multiple crucial steps. Inspectors begin by visiting homes to gather foundational information, including GPS coordinates and photographs of the traditional stoves slated for replacement. After installing the new stoves, technicians log their locations and activate them in the system. Subsequent follow-up visits ensure the stoves are functioning properly and collect vital maintenance feedback, which not only improves project outcomes but also builds trust with the community.
This seamless process, made possible by TaroWorks, ensures that Proyecto Mirador meets the high standards required for carbon credit certification while maintaining the scalability and sustainability of its operations.
Proyecto Mirador is also pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to optimize its operations. By analyzing data, AI helps predict which stoves are most at risk of deterioration, allowing the team to prioritize follow-up visits and allocate resources more effectively.
Achieving Gold Standard certification is a rigorous process involving multiple steps: eligibility criteria, public consultations, project design documentation (PDD), validation audits, and technical reviews. Transparency and reliable data are essential for meeting these standards, which ultimately allow Proyecto Mirador to issue carbon credits. The organization need clean data to monitor and report its impact on the community and the environment in order to get certification and sell its carbon credits.
The process is tiring and long, but it’s worth it when the impact is truly helping. Beyond reducing firewood use, Proyecto Mirador has created approximately 230 direct and indirect jobs through partnerships with microenterprises. This economic ripple effect benefits entire communities, providing not only improved health and quality of life but also new income opportunities through the carbon credits market.
Proyecto Mirador is a great example of how a community-driven initiative can achieve remarkable results. By combining efficient stove technology with digital tools and carbon credit certification, the project not only mitigates CO₂ emissions but also transforms lives in Honduras and Guatemala. Proyecto Mirador is paving the way for a more sustainable future with ongoing innovation and collaboration and we’re very proud to support them in their mission.
If you missed the webinar, you can watch it on our YouTube channel to learn more about this inspiring journey.
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