SHARED knowledge to promote sustainable woodfuel

Abstract

We have just returned from Tanzania where we witnessed first-hand the rapidly increasing demand for charcoal and firewood as the primary sources of energy. The charcoal sector alone in the country is worth USD 650 million a year and concern is mounting on whether production and use of woodfuel is sustainable; whether there are adequate policies and technologies in place to support the woodfuel system. There is substantial potential to reduce the negative impacts associated with the production and use of charcoal. For example, large reductions could be made in emissions of greenhouse gases with simple interventions, such as replanting trees, improved management of woodlands and village forests, installing modern kilns for producing charcoal and using modern, cleaner cookstoves. However, in order to realize this potential, many people have to be engaged to share their knowledge and build their capacity for implementing options