Namene Solar Lighting Carbon Project (Zambia)
Retire verified Gold Standard carbon credits from this project to compensate measured emissions.
This page is for companies looking to retire Gold Standard–certified energy-access carbon credits with strong poverty-alleviation co-benefits. Namene's Zambia programme uses carbon finance to put affordable solar lights into rural households, replacing kerosene and candles. Evertreen acts as an intermediary: we source and retire these credits on your behalf and do not own or operate the project. One credit = one tonne of CO₂e, an independently verified estimate.
At a Glance
- Project type: Solar lighting / energy access
- Standard: Gold Standard
- Location: Rural Zambia
- Developer: Namene Climate Investment Vehicle Limited
- Scale: 600,000+ solar lights distributed since 2021
- Affordability: Sold at a 50–70% discount via carbon-finance subsidy
- SDGs: 1, 7, 13
- Evertreen's role: Intermediary — credit retirement available through Evertreen (we do not own or operate the project)
Who this project is for
Sustainability and procurement leads who want a clear 'carbon-subsidy' energy-access model with well-documented education and health co-benefits.
What Namene Solar Lighting is
The Namene Solar Lighting Project (Namene Climate Investment Vehicle Limited) has distributed more than 600,000 solar lights across rural Zambia since 2021, sold at a 50–70% discount thanks to a carbon-finance subsidy. It eliminates ongoing kerosene and battery costs for low-income households (direct poverty alleviation), improves children's education (less coughing and eye irritation from fumes; better study conditions), and removes the indoor air pollution of kerosene lamps. As one beneficiary put it: “When the solar lights are on at night, it feels like a town, not a village.”
What a carbon credit from this project represents
One credit = one tonne of CO₂e. A verified carbon credit represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent removed or avoided, independently verified under the Gold Standard. CO₂ figures are estimates based on the project’s methodology, not exact measurements.
How it is certified and tracked
The Namene Solar Lighting Project is Gold Standard certified and independently verified, using carbon finance to subsidise affordable solar lights for low-income households. Each issued credit carries a unique serial number and is retired in the Gold Standard Impact Registry when claimed. (Confirm the current vintage and status on the Gold Standard registry before purchase.)
How double counting is prevented
Each credit has a unique serial number and is retired only once in the Gold Standard Impact Registry when it is claimed, so the same tonne of CO₂e cannot be sold or counted twice.
Why this is a high-quality carbon project
- Gold Standard certified and independently verified
- Demonstrates the 'carbon subsidy' best-practice access model
- Direct poverty alleviation — eliminates kerosene/battery costs
- Well-documented education and health co-benefits
- Large reach (600,000+ lights)
Evertreen’s role
Evertreen acts as an intermediary for this project. We source Gold Standard credits from Namene Solar Lighting and retire them on your behalf. Evertreen does not own or operate the project. Credits are independently verified estimates of CO₂e and complement — they do not replace — reducing your own emissions.
What your company can claim
After Evertreen retires Namene Solar Lighting credits on your behalf, your organisation can state that it has retired verified Gold Standard carbon credits to compensate a measured quantity of CO₂e, supported by the retirement documentation we provide. We do not overstate permanence or additionality, and present credits as a complement to cutting your own emissions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a carbon credit?
A verified carbon credit represents one tonne of CO₂e reduced or removed. Retiring it lets you compensate a measured quantity of your emissions. Credits are estimates based on an approved methodology.
Is Namene Solar Lighting Gold Standard certified?
Yes — Gold Standard certified and independently verified.
How is it verified and is double counting prevented?
It is independently verified under the Gold Standard; each credit has a unique serial number and is retired once in the Gold Standard Impact Registry, so the same tonne can’t be counted twice.
What can my company claim after retirement?
That it retired verified Gold Standard credits to compensate measured CO₂e. Credits complement, and do not replace, reducing your own emissions.
Does Evertreen own the project?
No. The programme is run by Namene Climate Investment Vehicle Limited. Evertreen is an intermediary that sources and retires the credits on your behalf.
What are the co-benefits?
Direct poverty alleviation (no more kerosene/battery costs), better children's education, and elimination of kerosene indoor air pollution.
Retire Namene Solar Lighting credits. Tell us the tonnes of CO₂e you need to compensate and Evertreen will source and retire Gold Standard credits on your behalf.
- Gold Standard certified
- Carbon-subsidy access model
- Retired on your behalf
- Evertreen acts as intermediary
Reviewed by Evertreen. Last updated: June 2026.
Sources: Gold Standard Marketplace — Namene Zambia, Gold Standard. Photo: Rotimi8 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons).
Part of Evertreen’s Verified Carbon Credits for Business.
