Charcoal Production: Can it be a sustainable enterprise?

Venue, 21st May 2013

Dr. Davison GumboScientist and Zambia Project Leader

Outline

Background Goal and Objectives Methods Highlight Study

Findings Recommendations

Background

Charcoal and timber provide a basis for potentially viable forest-based enterprises.

Charcoal, timber and NTFPs provide direct support to rural and urban livelihoods in Zambia.

Miombo and other associated woodlands is resources for charcoal and timber production and non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

Six districts in Eastern, Northern (Muchinga) and Northwestern Provinces.

Supported by the Embassy

of Finland in Zambia.

Background – Cont …

Study on dynamic of the charcoal and indigenous timber trade in Zambia.

Goals of the study

Identify and characterize the social, economic and environmental issues pertaining to

charcoal and timber production and trade in Zambia as well as the implications of the

nascent regional charcoal industry.

Methodology

Field based research

Literature review

Finding Highlights

Charcoal Production, Consumption and Trade

Policy and regulatory framework in place and adequate but lack of resources (human and financial).

FINDING

Charcoal widely produced across Zambia.

FINDING

Charcoal a major energy source for urban areas in Zambia.

FINDING

Drivers of charcoal production.• Poverty • Limited employment

opportunities• Quick and easy business

FINDING

FINDING

Livelihood and other socioeconomic benefits not openly acknowledged.

FINDING

Markets, charcoal flows and transportation.

Can charcoal production be a sustainable enterprise?

Recommendations

Establish a conducive policy environment for local level institutions to manage forests.

Develop local rules and guidelines for managing forests for charcoal production.

Encourage local level institutions to take a greater interest in the management of forests.

Incentive for sustainable charcoal product accrue to forest “owners.”

Recommendations – Cont … Collaboratively develop schemes

of sustainable charcoal production with charcoal producers based on lesson learnt particularly in customary areas.

Provide special support to women charcoal producers to ensure they work in sustainable way and within the confines of the law.

Urban consumers should be part of the debate/discussion on charcoal production and utilization debate.

Recommendations – Cont … Improve understanding on the

implications of charcoal and timber production on the forests.

Provide capacity building to charcoal producer particularly on organizational, technical and business training.

Research should be stepped up to come up with alternative feedstock for charcoal production e.g, bamboo.

Thank you