The project is located in the south margin of Mu Us desert. It belongs to the arid and semi-arid temperate climate zone. The annual precipitation is 280mm and the annual evaporation is 2180mm. Drought, sand wind, frost and xerothermic wind are the main disasters. Crop farming, livestock breeding and out-migration for work are the main income sources for local people. The average income is 11243CNY($1629).

Main problems:
The temperature of project site is low and the heating period lasts 6 to 7 months. Traditional Kang is the main local heating facility and the fuels are mainly coal, straw and sheep manure. According to survey, one family consumes 1260kg coal for heating in winter, which will generate 2234kg CO2 emission.

Solutions/activities:
1. Conduct participatory survey to learn villager's family general information and energy utilization
2. Provide training on energy conservation and emission reduction
3. Establish community project working group
4. Demonstrate energy-saving plumbing Kang for 255 households
5. Promote and outreach project achievements
6. Compile an energy saving heating system technology report and submit policy recommendation to the local government

Anticipated results/outcomes:
1. about 200 people trained on energy conservation and emission reduction, among them, 20% are women
2. community project working groups established in 2 demonstration villages, each group has at least one woman
3. 520 energy-saving plumbing Kang installed, which reduced 509tons of CO2 emission and saved 289CNY($42) per capita.
4. about 1000 people impacted by project through social media and project brochure
5. An energy saving heating system technology report completed and policy recommendation submitted to the local government.