Developing Healthy, Energy Wise Communities

Partner: Live and Learn Environmental Education- Vaunatu
Country:Vanuatu

Developing Healthy, Energy Wise Communitites in Vanuatu, is an education and advocacy campaign about energy use in communities. The project aims to ensure the active participation of local communities (particularly women) in the development of sustainable energy use plans using renewable energy sources.

The project will be located in Nambauk, north of Luganville in Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu. The community (population of 500 people) depends entirely on wood and kerosene for fuel, which have an adverse impact on community health and the natural environment. The use of plastic bags to start fires, and of kerosene lamps, result in the release of toxic carcinogens and poor indoor air quality. In addition, family members must often walk long distances to collect firewood, placing their health and safety at risk. Common energy sources, such as generator fuel, are not only polluting but are now increasing in price and becoming unsustainable financially for families that could once afford it. In addition, the continuous burning of firewood is contributing to deforestation and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

LLEE Vanuatu will engage community members in discussions and workshops on environmental, social and gender issues associated with energy use and consumption, and support community members to take practical steps to manage their energy consumption, and find alternatives to polluting, unsustainable and expensive sources of energy.

This process will involve undertaking a perceptions survey with members of the Nambauk community, which will then form the basis of an energy toolkit (education resource kit). This toolkit will be used in community workshops to assist participants to explore the environmental and social (including gendered) implications of using different sources of energy for daily needs and make household and community level decisions around energy sources.

Women will be the key participants of this program, in recognition that although they are the highest energy users within the household, they have limited access to formal decision making arenas on energy use. LLEE Vanuatu will also work with men to promote understanding and respect for women’s roles and their right to engage in decision making on this issue. If this process is successful, LLEE Vanuatu intends to replicate this model in other villages.

This project is funded by IWDA supporters and through the ANCP matched giving program.
-last updated 25/02/09