This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
Kenya's forest cover has been dwindling at an alarming rate, exposing the country to desertification. As of now, the country's forest cover stands at a mere 7.4%, far below the recommended global minimum of 10%.
Charcoal burning and firewood forage for fuel in households are major contributing factors to forest depletion. Experts warn that these wood fuels pose a significant threat to efforts aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
According to estimates, charcoal fuel generates at least 4.2 billion shillings per year in Kenya. Approximately 80% of urban households rely on it for cooking, making it a significant contributor to the country's energy needs.
However, policymakers have devised mechanisms to discourage the use of charcoal due to its health and environmental effects. These include a ban on charcoal burning and the introduction of affordable cooking gas for low-income earners under the Mwananchi Gas Project.
For the charcoal industry in Kenya to become sustainable, households must improve the efficiency of their charcoal and wood fuel usage. Most stoves used in Kenya have low energy conversion rates, often less than 15%, which negatively impacts the environment.
Improved stoves, which can increase efficiency by over 35%, are an option that could make a significant difference. Industry players are calling on the government to improve tariff policies to attract investors into developing technologies for sustainable wood-based energy in the country.
