There is evidence that bamboo charcoal burns cleaner than wood charcoal and with comparable heating and energy values. Charcoal production is another way for families to diversify their livelihoods and earn some additional income, and the relatively limited investments required for the simple charcoal-making process make it an income source that is accessible to many.
Regions
EVENT: Workshop: small-scale alcohol production for fuel in Madagascar Nov 12-14
We received this announcement from our alcohol-brewing friends at Project Gaia, and which we are happy to pass along! I’d like to let you know that PGI and partners are holding a workshop in Antananarivo on Nov 12-14, 2012 focusing on small-scale alcohol production for fuel. It is funded in part by the World Bank and follows up on the results of the Practical Action-led 2009-2011 study Ethanol as a Household Fuel in Madagascar. The workshop will have a technical focus and include interactive models provided by Colombian distillery company EcoEnergy. Project Gaia will focus on policy issues of regulating ethanol as a fuel. Continue reading
NEWS: Kenya urges move to plant trees for charcoal
It’s encouraging to hear the head of the Kenya Forestry Service call for the planting of trees for wood energy and other products. That’s exactly the right call. We would however want to make certain that his call to plant trees on agricultural lands does not come at the expense of food production. Food security must remain a priority. Luckily there are ways to do both and do them well. — The Charcoal Project Encourage commercial logging to grow Kenya’s forest cover – report Source: AlertNet Mon, 5 Nov 2012 19:10 GMT By Katy Migiro NAIROBI (AlertNet) – Kenya should Continue reading
NEWS: Kenya to legalize charcoal trade
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 5 – The government now wants to legalize the charcoal business in an attempt to beat illegal charcoal burning which is largely to blame for the loss of the country’s forest cover.
NEWS: Fuel briquettes from groundnut shells
(Via HEDON) “In Gambia, Anthony Tabbal has established a business making fuel briquettes from groundnut shells. He was inspired to do this by his concern over deforestation in the country, with many trees being felled for firewood and charcoal making.”