Sustainable charcoal and firewood production and use in Africa

Abstract

The energy sector in Africa is characterized by low per capita consumption of modern energy in a continent endowed with extensive but under-developed energy resources. The majority of the population depends on wood-fuels (charcoal and firewood) because modern energy such as LPG, kerosene and electricity are either unavailable or unaffordable. Deforestation and forest degradation is a major problem created by the current energy consumption patterns in Africa. The negative environmental impacts of cooking with wood-fuels are increasing in most African countries. Poor forest management and increasing demands are leading to land degradation, which for rural women translates to increasingly long daily treks to gather fuel-wood. On average less than 30% of the Sub-Saharan African population has access to electricity and more than 70% depend on wood-fuels for cooking and heating. The current low access to modern energy services in Africa causes negative impacts on poverty reduction efforts and the attainment of the MDGs. Despite the understanding that wood-fuels are the main energy source for the majority of the African population, improvements in wood-fuel production and use is currently not of high priority in energy development strategies. There are no specific wood-fuel policies, strategies and programmes supported by African governments. However, the use of wood-fuels is critical for meeting basic energy needs of the majority of the population in African countries. Due to this low prioritization of wood-fuels, the sector is poorly funded and lacks good governance. Therefore, securing political commitment for formulating and implementing effective policies and strategies are crucial elements that could ensure sustainable production and use of wood-fuels in Africa.