Converting Forest Biomass to Bioenergy for Improved Community Livelihoods: A Review

Abstract

A wide range of forest biomass from both natural and plantation forests constitutes an essential natural asset to a large number of households. The ever-increasing development of biofuels as a potentially sustainable and cleaner replacement for conventional fuels represents a key challenge for the forest industry and the opportunity for forest fringe communities. This, typifies a unique situation to understand the challenges and opportunities for designing sustainable bioenergy supply chains that require simultaneous consideration of economic, social, and environmental aspects. The objective of this study was to examine the conversion of forest biomass to bioenergy for improved community livelihoods. Desk study, content analysis and authors’ personal experiences were employed in carrying out this study. The study finds that forest environ abounds with biomass as feedstock for bioenergy. Positively, there are different technologies in converting biomass to bioenergy. However, it calls for the technical know-how and other factors such as infrastructure, market, full participation of critical players and policy incentives to facilitate bioenergy enterprises at the local level. In conclusion, policies and support mechanisms on bioenergy in creating sustainable livelihoods should be the priority for most countries where biomass abounds and could be established to provide clean and efficient energy.