Fuelwood Use Research Articles

Correlation of woodfuel production participation among rural households in the drylands of Ethiopia

Woodfuel production and consumption have been a concern for multiple stakeholders involved in household energy use, deforestation, and climate change. While research into the underlying decision-making process is growing, it remains insufficient. Such a study offers opportunities to develop policies that enable diversification of household energy consumption and livelihood options away from woodfuel use. Policymakers often lack an understanding of factors correlated with households' participation in woodfuel production. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between household participation in woodfuel production and factors that influence households' participation in woodfuel production in dryland areas of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1,114 purposively selected woodfuel-producing and non-producing households through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The sample included 775 participant households and 339 non-participant households. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that drought and related shocks are the main factors that forced households to participate in woodfuel production. The model results indicated that age, education, landholding, livestock holding, production asset value, ownership of improved cook stoves, number of years lived in the area, distance from the forest, access to forest extension, and institutional membership are statistically significant factors that negatively influence household participation in woodfuel production. On the other hand, household expenditure and drought occurrence positively and significantly influence the participation of households in woodfuel production. The findings of the study suggest that sustainable management and utilization of dryland forest resources require considering socioeconomic, demographic, institutional, and environmental factors correlated with households' decisions to participate in woodfuel production. This can be achieved through sound institutional setups and policy frameworks in the sector.

Fuelwood use and household appreciation of improved and traditional cooking stoves in Rwanda

More than 90 % of the rural population in Rwanda (72 % of the total population) utilizes the inefficient traditional three-stone fireplaces (TSF), and 65 % of the urban population uses charcoal for cooking. Firewood is bulky and heavy to transport and store in urban areas, and charcoal stoves are more efficient and less smoky than TSF. However, most energy and wood are lost when converting firewood to charcoal. Traditional charcoal kiln often has an average of 12 % conversion efficiencies in Rwanda. Several improved cooking stoves (ICS) have been developed as alternatives to the TSF and charcoal stoves, but their efficiencies and household appreciation in real-life conditions are poorly understood. This study assesses the fuelwood use efficiency of two ICSs, MimiMoto and Kuniokoa stoves. The Kuniokoa is a rocket stove that uses firewood, while the MimiMoto is a top-lit-up-draft (TLUD) gasification stove fuelled with wood pellets. The MimiMoto stoves were delivered to 15 selected households using charcoal stoves, while the Kuniokoa stoves were given to 30 households using TSF. The amount of wood consumed and time spent during cooking were recorded for a standardized traditional dish. The Kuniokoa stove consumed 0.9kg/cooking session, while the TSF consumed 1.6 kg/cooking session. Switching from TSF to Kuniokoa stoves in rural areas reduces fuelwood consumption by 41 %. MimiMoto and charcoal stoves consume 0.50 and 0.48 kg/cooking session. However, 0.48 kg charcoal is equivalent to 4 kg firewood; hence, switching from charcoal stoves to MimiMoto stoves results in a firewood reduction of 88 %. Analysis of cooking times shows small differences between TSF, Kuniokoa, and MimiMoto, around 55–60 min, while cooking on charcoal takes significantly more time. The ICSs were highly appreciated by participating households, especially for their fuel saving, ease of use, reduced smokiness, and general cleanliness. Based on the results, it can be concluded that efficient rocket stoves, like Kuniokoa, are viable alternatives to TSF for household cooking in rural areas and that efficient TLUD stoves, like the MimiMoto, are good alternatives to replace charcoal stoves in urban and peri-urban areas. Aggregated to annual and national scales, such changes would have substantial positive implications for the environment and livelihoods.

Assessment of stocking, productivity, and aboveground biomass of tree species used as fuelwood in Rwanda's agricultural landscapes

Tree-based systems (TBS) in the agricultural landscape of Rwanda do supply considerable amounts of fuelwood to the local communities. However, there needs to be more information on the available stocking, aboveground biomass (AGB), and productivity of the trees used for fuelwood. The study aims to assess the common tree species used for fuelwood and quantify the biomass stock across various TBS in the agricultural landscape. The study used a systematic sampling design, establishing 130 band transects, each measuring 2 km x 5 m. The transects were systematically distributed across the Bugesera and Musanze Districts, representing low and high-altitude regions. In Bugesera District, the common tree species for fuelwood use were Grevillea robusta, Eucalyptus spp., Senna spectabilis, and Markhamia lutea. The results indicated that the mean stem density and AGB of Eucalyptus spp. and S.spectabilis were substantially higher than other species. Across all TBS categories, trees covered an average stem density of 50 stems/ha and an AGB of 2.07t/ha. The stem density and AGB were substantially higher in boundary plantings and mixed cropping than in other TBS. Most trees in all TBS categories had a DBH ranging from 1 to 5 cm, except for the woodlot, where trees had a DBH ranging between 5.1–10 cm. In Musanze District, the common tree species for fuelwood use were G.robusta, Eucalyptus spp., Alnus acuminata, and M.lutea. The mean stem density, standing AGB, and productivity of Eucalyptus spp. were substantially higher than those of the other species. Across all TBS, trees covered an average stem density of 109 stems/ha and AGB of 5.38t/ha. The number of stems and AGB were substantially higher in boundary plantings and woodlots than in mixed cropping, live fences, and home gardens. Furthermore, the results on fuelwood supply indicated that S.spectabilis in Bugesera and Eucalyptus spp. in Musanze have a higher potential to produce higher biomass in short rotation.

How to Optimize Carbon Sinks and Biodiversity in the Conversion of Norway Spruce to Beech Forests in Austria?

Assessments of synergies and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and forest biodiversity conservation have focused on set-aside areas. We evaluated a more comprehensive portfolio of silvicultural management adaptations to climate change and conservation measures exemplary for managed European beech forests. Based on the available literature, we assessed a range of common silvicultural management and conservation measures for their effects on carbon sequestration in forest and wood products and for substituting more carbon-intensive products. We complemented this review with carbon sequestration simulations for a typical mountainous beech forest region in Austria. We propose three priority actions to enhance the synergies between climate change mitigation and biodiversity. First, actively increase the proportion of European beech in secondary Norway spruce forests, even though beech will not be unaffected by expected water supply limitations. Secondly, optimize the benefits of shelterwood systems and promote uneven-aged forestry, and thirdly, enhance mixed tree species. Targeted conservation measures (deadwood, habitat trees, and old forest patches) increase the total C storage but decrease the annual C sequestration in forests, particularly in wood products. The establishment of a beech wood market with an extended product portfolio to reduce the use of fuelwood is essential for sustainable climate change mitigation. Since there are limitations in the production of saw timber quality beech wood on low fertility sites, C accumulation, and biodiversity can be emphasized in these areas.

Performance comparison of three prototype biomass stoves with traditional and Mirt stoves for baking Injera

Abstract Background Injera is food consumed daily by Ethiopians like bread and rice in other parts of the world. Biomass stoves are used to bake Injera in most rural households. The unsustainable use of fuelwood causes deforestation. Improved cook stoves such as Mirt (name in local language) were introduced to replace traditional stoves and save fuel wood. This study presents a performance comparison of three newly developed prototype biomass stoves with traditional and Mirt stoves. The prototype stoves were made with a clay pan (designated MUC: Mekelle University prototype with clay pan), with a glass pan (MUG) and with an aluminum pan (MUA). Controlled cooking tests were conducted for each type of stove to determine the thermal efficiency and specific fuel consumption. Results The thermal efficiencies of the traditional, Mirt, MUC, MUA and MUG stoves were found to be 14%, 17%, 21%, 29% and 32%, respectively. Similarly, the percentage fuel wood savings by Mirt, MUC, MUA and MUG compared to the traditional stove were 32%, 48%, 64% and 67%, respectively. The results indicate that the prototype stoves had significantly better performance compared to the traditional and Mirt stoves. Conclusion The prototype stoves have the potential to reduce fuel wood consumption by more than half of that currently consumed employing traditional stoves. In addition to the economic benefit of saving fuel wood, the improved stoves will have significant environmental implication. Based on the fuel saving figures, it is estimated that 0.4, 0.5 and 0.52 tons/year of fuel wood may be saved per household adopting MUC, MUA and MUG stoves, respectively.

Influence of Land Ownership Security on Land Use Changes in Mwatate Sub-County, Taita Taveta County, Kenya

Background and Aims: The rising global population has increased land demand due to the increased need for agricultural and settlement spaces. Land ownership security tremendously impacts environmental sustainability because it influences ecological decisions. Kenya's land ownership and land use changes nexus has not received sufficient attention. Consequently, we explored this research gap in Mwatate Sub County, Taita County, Kenya. Methods: A sample size of 301 households was selected using stratified proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. A cross-sectional survey research design was used, while data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The Neo-Malthusian theory was adopted as a theoretical framework. Results: Results revealed that most (85.6%) households had insecure land ownership rights. Most (64.1%) households inherited land and had no Title deeds. Accordingly, findings reveal unsustainable land use practices, including deforestation, tree logging, high fuelwood use, bush clearance for human settlement and cultivation, poor farming methods, and overreliance on agriculture for livelihood. Using a 95% confidence level, Chi-square tests revealed a significant relationship between agricultural land use changes and land ownership security. Our findings concluded that insecure land ownership influenced agricultural expansion, deforestation, clearing of land for human settlement, and the type of farming techniques adopted by farmers. Implications for Conservation: Taita Taveta is a vital biodiversity hotspot that continues to be degraded by human activities. The correlation between land ownership and land use changes established by our study confirms the impending land degradation and threat to biodiversity loss. This is coupled with the concern that approximately 62% and 11% of the county are under a National Park and sisal estates, respectively, implying a growing threat to biodiversity loss and the need for enhanced conservation efforts in the area. This calls for the need to address the constant land issues in the area to incentivize sustainable land use practices.

Energy, gender and development: the impact of energy efficient cookstoves intervention on the welfare of women in Ethiopia

PurposeThe use of energy efficient cookstoves (EECS) has been promoted for a long and considered as instrumental in the efforts to mitigate the multiple social, economic and environmental consequences of traditional biomass cookstoves. Despite this, the adoption of EECS in pre-urban and rural Ethiopia is still very low. In response to this, the government of Ethiopia, in collaboration with international development organizations, implemented numerous initiatives aimed at improving the availability and use of EECS as part of the effort to support sustainable development. However, very little is known about the impact of the introduced EECS on improving the welfare of women. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to assess the impact of improved cookstoves projects on the welfare of women in Yaya Gullele district, Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research design was adopted to conduct the study. The quantitative data for the study were collected using a structured questionnaire by interviewing 388 randomly selected respondents. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques, including the propensity score matching model using STATA.FindingsResults of the study revealed that adoption of EECS has reduced fuel wood expense (124.65 Ethiopian Birr [ETB]/week), reduced five-year stove expense (404.67 ETB) and increased regular savings (116.58 ETB/month), which contributed for an increased annual income of participants (5,594.42 ETB). The result of the study also indicated that the use of EECS enabled the beneficiary women to reduce the amount of fuel wood use by 29.4 kg/week, which in turn reduced forest degradation and emission by 2.34 tons of CO2e/year/household. Besides, it reduced the drudgery on women in terms of reduced time to cook (53 min/day), reduced time to collect fuelwood and prepare food (3.95 h/week) and reduced frequency of fuelwood collection trips (3.42 trips/week). The study results, in general, indicated that the adoption of EECS improved the welfare of women in the study area, where the majority of women have been suffering from the burden of using traditional stoves and associated impacts for a long.Practical implicationsEnergy is central to most of the development-related challenges and opportunities every country faces today. The result of the study implied that policies and strategies intended at improving the availability and use of EECS as part of the effort to support sustainable development need to consider integrating such context-referenced, locally manageable and affordable EECS into the clean developmental strategies of the country.Originality/valueInsights from this study can support development practitioners and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding future interventions in the use of energy efficient that have the potential to several economic, social and environmental positive development outcomes.

The Effects of Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves on Fuel Use, Particulate Matter, and Cooking Practices: Results from a Randomized Trial in Rural Uganda

Smoky cookfires contribute to global climate change and kill approximately four million people annually. While many studies have examined the effects of fuel-efficient cookstoves, this study does so while selling stoves at market prices. After introducing a fuel-efficient cookstove, fuelwood use and household air particulates declined by 12% and by smaller percentages after adjusting for observer-induced bias, or the Hawthorne effect. These reductions were less than laboratory predictions and fell well short of World Health Organization pollution targets. Even when introducing a second stove, most households continued to use their traditional stoves for most cooking. Future research should focus on improving the usability of fuel-efficient cookstoves and/or policies that assist consumers to shift to safer fuels like gas or electricity coupled with mechanisms to disable the existing smoky cookfire.

Ring data provide management clues and pinpoint climate drivers of growth in two species of miombo trees (Brachystegia spiciformis, Julbernardia paniculata)

Tree-ring studies are still lacking in tropical African forests. This is the case in the seasonally dry miombo forests located in Southern Africa. In the Angolan miombo, subject to intense charcoal exploitation, tree-ring data is urgently needed to estimate the age at which the minimum permitted cutting diameter is reached. Further, climate-growth relationships must be also investigated to understand how major miombo tree species respond to climate constraints and teleconnections such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). To achieve both aims, we studied radial growth data of two miombo tree legume species (Brachystegia spiciformis, Julbernardia paniculata) in wet (Bailundo) and dry (Caála) Angolan sites using dendrochronological methods. Both species have diffuse porous wood and conspicuous ring boundaries delimited by terminal parenchyma in latewood. Sampled individuals had ages (at 1.3 m) between 28 and 34 years with ring widths ranging 3.8–4.3 and 5.5–6.0 mm in dry and wet sites, respectively. In the wet (dry) site, Brachystegia and Julbernardia reached maximum diameter increment rates of 1.05–1.32 (0.74–0.91) cm yr−1 at an age of 12 (14−20) years. Both species took 12–15 years to reach a minimum cutting diameter of 15 cm. The growth variability among conspecific individuals was lower in the dry (mean standard error, 1.4 cm) than in the wet site (mean standard error, 2.7 cm). We also found that wet conditions from November to February, often linked to El Niño events, enhanced growth for both species, with greater growth consistency among individuals and higher sensitivity to climate found in the dry site. This information may help to estimate the optimal age for minimum cutting diameter that guarantees the sustainable use of charcoal and fuelwood.

Determinants of Household Fuelwood Consumption in Public Residential Estates in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

The type of energy utilized by households is a good reflection of the quality of life and socio-economic development in any given country. Unfortunately, the continued dependence on traditional fuels such as fuelwood as a major source of energy for domestic purposes particularly in Nigeria is generating concerns due to its negative environmental, socio-economic and health effects. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the factors that drive household fuelwood consumption in public residential estates in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. A survey questionnaire was used to elicit data from a sample of 355 household-heads that were selected using systematic random sampling technique from a population of 3,192 households. The data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Square regression analysis. The results revealed that gender, marital status, larger household size and prices of alternative fuels had positive and significant correlation with the quantity of fuelwood consumed in households while higher level of education, higher income; location of residence, share of dwelling and prices of fuelwood were significant and negatively related to fuelwood consumption. It is recommended that stakeholders and policy makers in the energy sector should vigorously promote access to affordable and modern energy sources for household cooking activities by subsidizing the prices of modern fuels and increasing the availability of electricity supply to households. This will go a long way to reducing the rate of indoor air pollution and other environmental consequences associated with the use of fuelwood in the study area. Finally, there is the need for proactive enlightenment campaigns with a view to strengthening public awareness on the deleterious effects of the consumption of solid fuels such as fuelwood in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Prospects for the Use of Wood Fuel in the Context of Low-carbon Energy Development

Prospects for the Use of Wood Fuel in the Context of Low-carbon Energy Development

As essential as bread: Fuelwood use as a cultural practice to cope with energy poverty in Europe

Fuelwood has been overlooked by European energy transition policies, despite its importance as a domestic energy source for many European households. We study fuelwood use for coping with energy poverty based on the lived experience of energy-vulnerable households in five diverse European countries (Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, and North Macedonia). From their perspective, fuelwood is a central and multifunctional tool for coping with energy poverty because of its many favorable features, including enabling energy security and access, that overweigh its adverse environmental and health impacts. We argue that the use of fuelwood for coping with energy poverty is embedded in cultural practices building upon the interconnection of three stages of coping behavior. The first stage is fuelwood becoming a socio-cultural norm, which means it is considered a cultural practice for coping with energy poverty due to its many benefits that protect the energy vulnerable from increasing energy prices, disconnections, and further energy deprivation. This enhances the subsequent phase, featuring the normalization of subsistence which is the acceptance of life with minimal energy needs. This leads to the final stage with increasing system detachment which is continued reliance on individual and informal arrangements of satisfying energy needs and avoiding seeking or demanding institutional support.

Threat of air pollution in the cleanest plateau

Threat of air pollution in the cleanest plateau

Unclean Energy Source Dependence and Sustainability in Nigeria: Consumption Dynamics and Impact of Contextual Factors

Fuelwood is the primary energy source for throughout the developing world. This, indiscriminate use of fuelwood as energy jeopardizes the environment, and well-being of the people. Despite Nigeria being the energy giant in Africa, most of her people still depend on unclean energy [fuelwood] for cooking, heating, and boiling. This article underlines the dynamics and essential impacts of social cum economic and demographic indexes on household unclean energy dependence. We interviewed 994 household fuelwood consumers, using a two-stage stratified random sampling technique. We used the delineated Enumeration Areas for Katsina State, Nigeria for socioeconomic data. The test re-test reliability method (trustworthiness assessment of the questionnaire) and Cronbach Alpha test (internal constancy) resulted in a value of 0.70 and 0.875 respectively. Using descriptive statistics and logit regression, findings indicate a high level of fuelwood energy dependence among households. Findings show that education level, employment status, and household structure have an opposite and highly statistically substantial relationship with the likelihood of household dependence on fuelwood, while age and household size move in the same trajectory and highly statistically substantial association with the likelihood of family dependence on fuelwood. Thus, the most difficult challenge facing Nigeria as per household dependence on unclean energy (fuelwood) is that the use of fuelwood increase economic, environmental, and health dangers. dangers and It has therefore become imperative for a paradigm shift in policies to change the current narrative toward clean energy.

Fuelwood in South Africa Revisited: Widespread Use in a Policy Vacuum

South Africa has experienced massive urbanisation and socioeconomic development over the past two decades. Concomitantly, the national energy policy focuses on the provision of modern fuels, notably electricity, for domestic use. Given this policy environment and socioeconomic development, we examine pertinent literature and policies from South Africa on fuelwood use, value, and sustainability to understand how it might have changed in tandem with the national shifts in urbanisation and socioeconomic development over the last 20 years. Recent literature shows that fuelwood is still used to some extent by 96% of rural households and 69% of low-income urban ones. We also estimate that the use of fuelwood by rural households alone is valued at approximately ZAR 10.5 billion (approx. USD 700 million) annually, with the probability of an equally high value to low-income urban households. However, despite the extensive use and high value, our analysis of cognate national policies related to energy, forestry, environment, and social development, show that fuelwood and its use is hardly considered, indicating a policy vacuum. This policy vacuum means that there is no strategic or apposite support or interventions in any localised areas where fuelwood demand might exceed supply, thereby undermining the livelihoods and energy security of affected citizens, most notably the poor.

The greening ashore.

More than half a billion years ago a streptophyte algal lineage began terraforming the terrestrial habitat and the Earth's atmosphere. This pioneering step enabled the subsequent evolution of all complex life on land, and the past decade has uncovered that many traits, both morphological and genetic, once thought to be unique to land plants, are conserved across some streptophyte algae. They provided the common ancestor of land plants with a repertoire of genes, of which many were adapted to overcome the new biotic and abiotic challenges. Exploring these molecular adaptations in non-tracheophyte species may help us to better prepare all green life, including our crops, for the challenges precipitated by the climate change of the Anthropocene because the challenges mostly differ by the speed with which they are now being met.

Tree species used for fuelwood by remote indigenous communities in West Papua, Indonesia: Implication of empowerment program

Abstract. Indow L, Maturbongs RA, Prabawardani S, Hendri. 2022. Tree species used for fuelwood by remote indigenous communities in West Papua, Indonesia: Implication of empowerment program. Biodiversitas 23: 3507-3512. Fuelwood still contributes as an essential energy source for domestic uses especially in rural communities including in West Papua, Indonesia. While several development programs are implemented to enhance the life quality of rural indigenous communities, their implication for fuelwood use is not clear. This study aimed to identify fuelwood tree species used by communities in three villages in West Papua and to, assess its availability prior to the empowerment program and compare it to nowadays after the program based on the community's perspective. A descriptive method with qualitative and quantitative data components was used in this study. Data were collected at predetermined villages representing three ecological zones (i.e., Sakumi, Jamboi and Watitindau) using purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with community representatives, tribal chiefs and leaders. The results showed that there were 5-7 plant species used as fuelwood, namely Piper aduncum, Casuarina equisetifolia, Rhizophora sp., Gliricidia sepium, Intsia bijuga, Pometia pinnata, Dodonaea viscosa, Homalium foetidum, Syzygium sp. and Muntingia calabura. These all-wood species have a good flame. Some high commercial tree species such as I. bijuga, P. pinnata and H. foetidum are only used in their branches and twigs for firewood. The local communities still use firewood despite the empowerment program since alternative fuel sources are not available or lacking, while the availability of firewood is plentiful. Nonetheless, in the long run, the continuous and extensive use of firewood will put pressure on the remaining trees and forest. Therefore, we recommend sustainably using firewood and replanting several species frequently used as firewood.

Fuelwood use and carbon emission reduction of improved biomass cookstoves: evidence from kitchen performance tests in Tigray, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, biomass contributes to about 92% of the household fuel consumption. As a result, deforestation rate has alarmingly increased associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land degradation. The concerned government agencies have been widely making concerted efforts to reverse the situation by of promotion of improved cookstoves (ICS). However, the performance of these technologies in terms of saving fuelwood and their contribution to CO2 emission reduction in a real kitchen was not studied systematically. Thus, this research was initiated to address the knowledge gap.MethodsThe study was conducted in Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. The study households were selected following cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. A kitchen performance test (KPT) was carried out based on 3 days of repeated fuelwood use measurements to compare the wood-saving performance of ICS in comparison with the traditional cookstove (TCS). The emission reduction potential of both ICS and TCS was calculated based on the Clean Development Mechanism and United Nation’s Framework of Convention on Climate Change and presented in CO2 equivalent (CO2e).ResultsThe result suggests significant differences in total and per capita wood consumption (p < 0.05) between improved and TCS. The use of Mirt and Tikikil compared to the traditional stove has reduced the household wood consumption by 35% and 18%, respectively. Furthermore, ICS stoves also reduced CO2e emission per stove per year by 0.65 and 0.27 tons, respectively.ConclusionThe study deals with the significant contribution that the shift from TCS to the ICS brought in terms of reducing the amount of fuelwood used at household level and the carbon emission per capita. It addresses the crucial roles of such technologies in reducing forest degradation and the associated ecosystem loss. Therefore, policy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries at household level should at least start via promotions of ICS.

Briquettes from Pinus spp. Residues: Energy Savings and Emissions Mitigation in the Rural Sector

This study analyzes the household energy needs of the indigenous community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico, and the use of Pinus spp. wood residues for the production of briquettes. The energy and emission performances of wood briquettes were evaluated on the field and in the laboratory. On-field surveys and measurements show that most users combine the use of fuelwood and LPG for cooking and heating water, and 65% of people use fuelwood daily (40% of houses consumed more than 39 kg per week). The use of biomass waste is an energy option in rural communities and contributes to reducing firewood consumption and mitigating GHGs. Briquettes gasification to heat water reduces 74% of GHG emissions, increases the thermal efficiency by 30%, and reduces pollutant emissions of CO, CH4, and PM2.5, NMHC, EC, and OC by 50% to 75% compared to a three-stone fire. The use of briquettes on the Patsari stove showed energy savings of 12% and a 36% reduction in CO2e compared to the “U” type open fire. The briquettes could reduce the fuelwood consumption by 318 t/year. It is possible to produce briquettes at a cost similar to or cheaper than fuelwood and generate a local market (circular economy) with local benefits.

The Gender of Fuelwood: Headloads and Truckloads in India

Cookstove improvement projects in India have emerged from the longstanding concerns about the nexus of cooking, fuelwood, gender and the environment. Such work, both academic and interventionist, focuses on rural women hauling headloads of firewood from the forests to their kitchens, where they burn it for daily cooking in a mud cookstove [ chulha]. We argue that this focus on village women’s cooking is too narrow if we are to understand and address problems caused by burning fuelwood in India, as cookstove campaigns attend to villages and not cities, domestic cooking and not commercial uses, and women and not men. Ethnographic research in Rajasthan and Odisha shows why we must expand our understanding of fuelwood use beyond villages, rural kitchens and women, and how cookstove interventions, often expressed as concern for women, require gender analysis.