ENVIROFIT MAKES IT TO FINALS OF
SANKALP AWARDS 2011 ON CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY

New Delhi, May 6, 2011: Envirofit, a US-based not-for-profit organisation that works in the area of clean cookstoves has been shortlisted as a finalist for the prestigious SANKALP AWARDS 2011 for Clean Energy Technology. Envirofit has been working with Shell Foundation in India since 2007 to tackle the problem of Indoor Air Pollution – an issue that effects over 3 billion people and kills nearly 2 million a year – through an enterprise-based model. The company has developed a line of durable clean cookstoves which reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and reduce cooking time significantly. Sankalp is an Intellecap initiative which catalyzes investments into sustainable, scalable businesses. In just the past two years, Sankalp has recognized over 60 stellar social enterprises, and have helped them to grow.

Harish Anchan, Managing Director of Envirofit India said, “We are delighted that these cookstoves, which have been well received in rural India and have sold over 200,000 units, impacting the lives of an estimated one million people, are today being recognised by SANKALP as a significant contributor to dealing with a global challenge. The stoves sold are predicted to save over US $30 million for India’s lowest-income consumers through fuel-saving over their lifetime. The recognition of the effectiveness of the stove will also help take the product to a wider audience.”

Anuradha Bhavnani, Regional Director of the Shell Foundation, said: “There are an estimated 1.9 million deaths per year due to the toxic fumes created when people cook on open fires or use inefficient stoves in poorly ventilated homes. Over the past four years, Envirofit has successfully scaled up its model of creating a market for improved cookstoves in India and the African continent. We are working with Envirofit India in all three areas of building distribution, awareness and affordability. This is being achieved by engaging rural entrepreneur networks, microfinance institutions and by running awareness campaigns.”

Envirofit cookstoves reduce toxic emissions by almost 80% while using 50% less fuel and reducing cooking time by 40%. Envirofit utilizes rigorous product-development methodology and protocols used in modern industry to develop and commercialize energy-efficient, pollution-reducing technologies that have the greatest potential positive impact on global environmental, economic, and public health issues. Envirofit India’s enterprise-based model has created over 500 local jobs and has supported enterprise development through the growth of its 400-strong network of manufacturing, sales and distribution partners.

In 2011, Envirofit will complete the registration of the Voluntary Carbon Programme developed in conjunction with Eco-Securities, making it the first stoves carbon programme of its kind in India. This will allow Envirofit to reduce the consumer price or reinvest funds in addressing some of the key market barriers and, as market growth continues, Envirofit will shift further towards localised assembly and manufacture in India so as to continue efforts to lower end-user costs.

About Envirofit
Envirofit International is a US based non-profit organization which was established to develop well-engineered technology solutions to improve the human condition on a global scale, with a primary focus on applications in the developing countries. Envirofit has produced a line of durable clean cookstoves which reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and reduce cooking time significantly. The quality of the stoves has led Envirofit India to become the market leader in sales of clean stoves across four states in the country. Envirofit utilizes initial donations and institutional support to fund product development and early stage product commercialization, and then uses operating income to develop and expand its businesses. www.envirofit.org

About Shell Foundation
Shell Foundation is an independent UK registered charity, established by Shell Group in 2000, that catalyses enterprise-based solutions to global poverty and environmental challenges. It pioneers sustainable business models that can be scaled up to improve the lives and livelihoods of billions of people across the developing world. In India, Shell Foundation is focusing on four key programmes which includes reducing Indoor Air Pollution, helping poor rural farmers by promoting ethical trading, providing energy access for the poor and developing sustainable urban transport solutions to reduce urban congestion.
www.shellfoundation.org

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This release was published on openPR.