Environmental and socio-economic implications of charcoal production and use in Kenya

摘要

Kenya's forests have declined in area, stocking and volumes of wood and biomass contained therein over the last couple of decades, being blamed on charcoal production and use, especially in peri-urban areas where the practice is outlawed. This work assessed the socioeconomic status of the people in the charcoal industry; analysed the environmental implications of producing 1.6 million tonnes of charcoal; and analysed gaseous emissions and indoor pollution associated with combustion of charcoal in Kenya. Although the industry is a source of employment and livelihoods for millions of Kenyans, it is associated with deforestation and vegetation destruction of 0.087 to 1.33 million hectares of land annually. The high rate of deforestation was attributed to the low charcoal recoveries of earth kilns. Indoor use of the charcoal exposed residents to high levels of carbon monoxide emissions (4166–6147 mg/m3) and other products of incomplete combustion. Improved kilns and a shift in focus to on-farm wood production with high biomass densities should be part of the solution in heavily degraded charcoaling areas to (ⅰ) relieve pressure on natural forests and vegetation ecosystems; and (ⅱ) generate extra earnings through increased charcoal production with remnant trees for alternative uses and/or rehabilitation.