Policy discussions around forests and climate change frequently refer to charcoal production as one of the main culprits of deforestation and forest carbon emissions. This is explicitly articulated in the Tanzanian Draft National Strategy for Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) published in January 2011. Future “business as usual” scenarios predict a worsening of the situation.
Charcoal
African economies leaving money on the table with current charcoal policies.
Revelations from Africa:
- Africa must formally recognize its huge charcoal sector.
- Solid biomass fuels could very well be the continents key to producing. homegrown sustainable renewable fuels for domestic and productive energy.
- The negative impact of sky-rocketing food prices on education.
- Energy efficiency and renewables can mitigate the pain of rising food costs.
REDD and the Law of Unintended Consequences
Climate change is likely to adversely affect the poorest people in the developing world. But solutions like REDD could end up hurting them as well.
The journey to sustainable solid biomass fuel production & consumption begins June 15th
On June 15th, representatives from new energy companies, climate finance, governments, development agencies, multi-lateral banks, and NGOs will meet in Arusha, Tanzania, to begin discussions on a blueprint that will make woodfuels, charcoal, and other solid biomass fuels a truly renewable energy choice for developing countries.
Photo essay: Of Haiti, charcoal, and energy poverty
We’ve focused before on Haiti‘s complete dependence on charcoal as a primary fuel and the impact this has had on the country’s environment.
The UK newspaper The Guardian recently ran a slideshow of powerful photos depicting aspects of the country’s charcoal trade.
The images are a profound reminder of the link between poverty, energy needs, and the environment.