Energy
It is estimated that about two thirds of wood energy production in Central Africa comes from clearing for the development of agriculture, while the remaining third comes from selective wood harvesting dedicated to the production of wood energy. The production of wood energy is therefore closely linked to agricultural activities. Generally speaking, the consumption of wood for heating by rural populations is a lesser issue than transformation into charcoal to supply large urban centres.
The wood energy consumption profiles differ widely, however, between Central African countries, and even within a given country. In Gabon, the production of wood-energy does not represent a major cause of forest cover loss. By contrast, in DRC or Republic of Congo, population increase, the absence of alternative sources of energy, the low surfaces dedicated to plantations for wood-energy, the wide use of poor quality cookstoves in urban areas and weak carbonization yields all lead to forest degradation in areas supplying large urban centres.
To reduce the pressure of wood energy on forests, CAFI supports actions aimed at producing sustainable wood energy, at improving energy efficiency (improved carbonization and cookstoves) and at promoting sustainable access to alternative energy sources.
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