Transforming the Charcoal Sector

Tanzania’s dependence on biomass to meet its energy needs is tremendous. 130 million m³ of solid wood are consumed annually for charcoal and fire-wood by 96% of Tanzanian households. Due to very weak sector governance, trees are felled and converted into charcoal in an unsustainable and inefficient way, with devastating effects on the environment. In response, Tanzania began piloting the REDD approach (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) for climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable forest management and community poverty reduction. In general, policy-makers have rather negative perceptions towards biomass energy, advocating for a costly switch to fuels perceived as more modern such as electricity and LPG.

Delivering sustainable development and benefits to rural communities in Tanzania through improved climate change mitigation from reduced deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, through enhanced environmental sustainability from better biomass harvesting and through leveraged returns on biomass resources from carbon credit sales, and through more efficient production technologies and biomass energy-friendly energy sector policies.  

1. 2,000 charcoal producing households and 3,000 small-scale farmers in Kilosa and Mpwapwa districts of Morogoro and Dodoma regions respectively (Central Corridor)
2. Academics, policy advisors and -makers nationwide

Outcomes (objectives) of the phase:

1. Component 1 – Sustainable Charcoal: Commercially viable and pro-poor value chains established for legal and sustainably sourced charcoal by applying the “making markets work for the poor approach (M4P)”
2. Component 2 – Biomass Energy-related Research, Knowledge Management and Governance: Credible data and analysis communicated through coordinated advocacy leading to more biomass-friendly governance and policies in Tanzania’s energy sector

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

Previous efforts by SDC and others to introduce sustainable charcoal in Tanzania failed as they were often supply-side driven. It is now apparent that premium, high-priced market segments must be identified and targetted to turn community-sourced charcoal into legal, pro-poor and sustainable value chains. Introducing community-based forest management (CBFM) concepts within a REDD framework takes time, so building upon existing CBFM projects is vital. Convincing high-level decision- and policy-makers of the critical importance of biomass fuels for Tanzania’s socio-economic development may be very challenging. Long-term research evidence-based advocacy work is therefore required to reach their “hearts and minds”.

Phase 1 01.01.2011 - 30.04.2016   (Completed)