Climate Change is a
phenomenon which has captured attention of the entire world. Africa Climate
Summit held in Nairobi and Conference of Parties (CoP 28) held late last year
in Dubai is clear indicator of significance of the Climate Change discussion.
Fuel provision remains primary and most elusive Climate Change driver whose
contribution to greenhouse gases has been on increase. Sustainable Development
Goal 7 focuses on access to clean and affordable energy, however fossil fuels
still remain the dominant energy source globally.
Majority of Africa
households especially in rural settings depend on firewood for cooking and
heating due to its affordability, accessibility and versatility in meeting
household fuel needs. Firewood usage remains unsustainable because it leads to
deforestation and land degradation and emits both carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide both of which are high impact greenhouse gases once released to the
atmosphere. The
quality of life for both the rural and urban population in Kenya, like others
in the developing world, is difficult by high cost of fuel wood and oil based
products (paraffin and gas) used in cooking. For this majority the problem of obtaining
fuel wood should come as a secondary priority to obtaining food
With increase in wood
dependent population in Africa and declining forest resource, charcoal briquettes
can offer low cost, sustainable and accessible energy source. Made from compacting
biomass residue such as sawdust, charcoal dust, other wood remnants or
agricultural residues, charcoal briquettes remain low hanging fruit in
sustainable energy options.
Charcoal briquettes offer
employment opportunities thus closing the unemployment gap witnessed in third
world countries. There is very huge potential for cooking and heating fuel
market which remains unmet or met using unclean and polluting energy options,
any viable clean energy will be great welcome in the market.
Briquettes offer waste
management opportunities in circular bio economy approach. Waste which would
otherwise create pollution and call for collection and disposal costs is in
return converted in to sustainable bioresources for the benefit of households
and the environment. Circular economy creates a continuum which appreciates all
value chain actors in the ecosystem in easy to manage context, and does not
require extensive legislation
According to the World Bank, 1200 grams of wood are burned per
person per day in the typical cooking situation in third world countries using the
three stone stove. This is equivalent to using 400 kilogram of wood each year
to satisfy the energy needs of one person. In contrast, a typical person
consumes only 140 kilograms’ worth of fuel briquettes made of agricultural and
commercial residues, in one year. Therefore, using fuel briquettes dramatically
reduces the strain on forest resources.
Briquettes can be used in almost every application where firewood
and charcoal is traditionally used, even in a typical three-stone stove. They
are most applicable in areas where access to firewood is limited, such as the
arid lands or in densely populated areas. In these areas, fuel briquettes can
compete favorably with traditional solid fuel (firewood, charcoal, and cow
dung). In Kenya the price difference is already in favor of fuel briquettes
Conclusion
Beyond reasonable doubt,
Earth’s climate is warming and climate change will have widespread impact on
African society and their interaction with natural environment. However, there is great
need to increase awareness on the value of briquettes as an alternative fuel in
East Africa as a means of reducing local dependence on fuel wood and as a tool
for teaching the community about forest conservation.
Andrew Muendo Nyamu
Young African Leaders Initiative
alumni (cohort 24)
Nature Positive project coordinator
National Church Council of Kenya
(NCCK)
Email: nyamu1895@gmail.com
