Hima Cement is commissioning a new Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) which has been given the green light by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), to use timber husks as an alternative fuel to power its heavy-duty generators, owning up to its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bernard Osawa, the company’s manager, says suppliers could earn more than 5.1 billion Ugandan shillings and in turn save the same amount in foreign exchange from not purchasing imported fuel. The initiative will also benefit the Ugandan economy with the creation of 100 jobs.
Following in the steps of the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, Osawa says, “These practices that include the use of alternative fuel, cement extension, development of biomass plantations and better disposal of industrial by-products like husks are also geared towards achieving sustainable development.”
Lafarge, Hima’s parent company, has already reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by 16% of the targeted 20% by 2010. “We aim at registering five projects, which target about 183,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year,” said a spokesperson for the company. The cement industry contributes 5% to global carbon dioxide emissions.