Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Adoption of fuel briquettes is solution for deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions

 

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

 


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