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Carbon offsetting allows businesses to balance emissions they can’t avoid by funding projects that reduce greenhouse gases elsewhere. At Brosch Direct (A trading division of Polyco Healthline), we’ve offset our scope 1, 2, and relevant scope 3 emissions from our Bourne head office by supporting a project that distributes improved cookstoves to low-income households in Maharashtra, India. This initiative reduces emissions, improves health and protects local forests. Here’s how it’s making a real difference.

The problem with traditional cookstoves

Millions of rural Indian families cook over open fires or inefficient traditional stoves burning wood, crop waste or charcoal. These stoves produce thick smoke that causes serious health risks, especially respiratory illnesses among women and children.

Environmentally, these stoves burn fuel inefficiently, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. The impact extends to local ecosystems, which suffer decline due to the high demand for firewood.

A simple but powerful solution

The improved cookstove project in Maharashtra replaces traditional stoves with fuel-efficient, low-emission models. These stoves benefit both communities and the environment.

Healthier homes

Improved stoves emit far less smoke, cutting indoor air pollution and lowering risks of respiratory issues, eye irritation and other health problems related to smoke inhalation.

Cleaner environment

By burning fuel more efficiently, the stoves reduce CO₂ and carbon emissions - a major driver of climate change - and lessens the pressure on local forests by reducing firewood needs.

Economic relief

Using less fuel means families spend less time gathering or buying firewood, freeing up time and money for education, work or other essentials.

Community engagement

The project involves households in the implementation process, ensuring the stoves are adopted long-term and the community benefits sustainably.

Why Brosch Direct this project

Through our phAMBITION sustainability programme, Polyco Healthline is committed to environmental responsibility. Following an evaluation of our carbon footprint in line with PPN 06/21 guidelines, we set out to offset our Scope 1 and 2 emissions in a way that reflects our values and delivers meaningful impact. The Improved Cookstove Project aligns with this mission by:

  • Cutting carbon emissions at source
  • Helping improve health in communities that need it most
  • Boosting local economies and creating opportunities
  • Giving back to the places connected to our supply chain

More than carbon offsetting

For us, offsetting is more than a necessity - it’s an opportunity. It’s a chance to create lasting change in communities that matter, connect climate initiatives to their consequences for people and invest in a better future. Supporting this project helps lower our carbon footprint while fostering healthier lives, stronger communities and a cleaner planet.

We know it’s a journey

Sustainability isn’t a destination - it’s an ongoing journey. The cookstove project is one of many steps we’re taking to grow responsibly. We’ll keep offsetting what we can’t avoid, reducing emissions where possible and striving for better.

Because when cleaner cooking fuels cleaner futures, everyone wins.