Millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to decent and affordable housing. Deforestation, which exacerbates climate change, has led to scarcity of timber and straw for traditional roof construction. Families spend what little money they have on imported and expensive timber and sheet metal to put a roof over their heads, further worsening the vicious circle of poverty in which they are trapped.

Through its Earth Roofs in the Sahel Program, the Association la Voûte Nubienne is addressing this problem with a traditional, very low-carbon building technique known as Nubian Vault. Nubian Vault is a 3000-year old method of timberless vault construction that now uses mud bricks and plastic waterproof sheeting.

The program is building resilience to the effects of deforestation and climate change, leading to warming temperatures. Not only do the homes eliminate the need for wood, they are also well-insulated and provide relief from high temperatures. As a result of Nubian Vault construction in the Sahel, 2,200 trees and 3,200 tons of CO2-equivalent have been saved.

The Earth Roofs in the Sahel Program won the Momentum for Change award in 2014, recognized under the Urban Poor pillar.

Learn more about the project here.