Kiva personal consumption “green loans” are now available from the Eco Products Team at XacBank, a Kiva lending affiliate. They are meant to help people buy energy efficient stoves, Ger covers, and energy efficient fuel. GTZ, a German government-run sustainable development organization, developed and tested the energy efficient stoves, which are lined with kiln-type bricks that circulate and retain heat more efficiently. That reduces fuel consumption by more than 60%,and fuel costs and air pollution are also reduced.

The Ger covers, designed by the UNDP and produced locally, are insulating blankets that cover the entire ger. Specialized insulation retains heat within the ger, reducing fuel use by 50%. The energy efficient fuel is produced from compacted sawdust and gasified coal. It is more expensive, but the price difference is offset by the need to burn less fuel. The impact on the environment is striking.

XacBank has so far posted 22 green loans on Kiva and plans to do more. A Kiva loan can be given as a gift, allowing the recipient to submit a loan request somewhere in the world.