Page - (000243) - in Evaluating Climate Change Action for Sustainable Development

distribution channels are alreadymade.Government partners hail from localmin- istries of agriculture and livestock, and the government contribution is training through agricultural extensionworkers as to how the biodigestersmight benefit a family that owns at least two cows. The technology is unaffordable for the very poor; the smallest biodigester costs $400 dollars and requires dung from the equivalent of two cows or four pigs in order to run. In order to ensure that poor farmers (albeit not the poorest of the population) can access the technology, the projectmanagershavecreatedaflat subsidyof$150andhavepartneredwith local bankswherein they assist in approving regular commercial loans.Thedefault rate on the loans is an astonishing zero percent, reflecting the high savings associated with a biodigester’s ability to essentially eliminate fuel andmanure costs, while contributing to indoor lightingneeds. Inadditiontopartneringwith thegovernment, theprojectdevelopers in theNBP utilize a localNGOthat assists in the trainingofmasons and technicians to install the biodigesters. Thisworkforce is trained by the projectmanager, and is paid on commission– thoughcommission is substantiallyhigher ($90perunit) than for the Hydrologic sales agents. By training and employing masons, technicians, and involving local agriculture extension services in their marketing strategy, the NBP has managed to achieve national coverage with a seemingly unaffordable product. However, since 2012 the subsidy is being phased out and uptake has drastically declined (Tables 12.2 and12.3). Table 12.2 Case study attributes Case Study Snapshot New Laos Stove Hydrologic National Biodigester Program Households serviced 2-2.5 million 65,064 23,000 Technology deployed Cookstoves Water filters Biodigesters Total emissions reductions to date 1,200,000 tons 146,378 335,519 Certification Type Verified Carbon Standard Gold Standard Gold Standard Unit cost in dollars a $5 $23 $250 Satisfaction rateb Unknown 94.10% 97% Last mile distribution mechanism NA Yes, for 30% Yes, subsidy Distribution Strategy Local technology production and local markets for distribution Local production and assisted distribution (markets and some subsidized market channels) Local production and subsidized distribution Livelihood index score 2.53 2.19 1.80 aAll projects are located in a Least Developed Country except project D. Monthly income is 60–120dollars amonth in the communities of interest bAs evidencedbydropout rate in user surveys, reported inproject documents bydevelopers 12 Unpacking theBlackBoxofTechnologyDistribution,Development Potential. . . 227