Suchergebnisse

Mining and on-shore oil and gas extraction are a major driver of deforestation in tropical forests and account for an estimated 7% of total forest loss in Africa, Latin America and Asia (Hosonuma et al., 2012). At local levels, extractive industries can be a major cause of forest loss, as observed in parts of Papua New Guinea, India's Madhya Pradesh and Guyana (Areendran et al., 2013; Laurance et al., 2012; Lowe, 2014). With high global demand, economically valuable mineral resources in remote –often forested- areas, such as the Congo Basin, are more likely to become developed. New infrastructure corridors, associated with mineral exploitation and related hydropower needs, facilitate access to previously inaccessible tropical forest areas and accelerate development and forest clearing in developing regions (Edwards et al., 2014; Weng et al., 2013). Deforestation and degradation of tropical forests contribute an estimated 14–21% of global emissions (ISU, 2015). Mitigation of impacts on forests and reduction of related emissions is the main aim of policies on Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and improving carbon stocks (REDD+). Even though most mineral rich countries that are presently developing their REDD+ strategies have identified the extractive sector as a driver of deforestation, it is often not considered in related policies and actions. This paper explores options for extractives industries to contribute to REDD+ objectives, using insights gained from developing REDD+ Standards for extractives in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As mining is more prevalent in forest areas than oil and gas extraction, this paper focuses mainly on mining with the understanding that the underlying principles apply to the entire on-shore extractives industries.

With charcoal set to remain an important energy source throughout Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the foreseeable future, this paper focuses on improving the efficiency of carbonisation as one contribution to more sustainable charcoal value chains. While the efficiency of wood-to-charcoal conversion is often considered a technical matter of kiln performance, this study aims to shed light on the role of the enabling institutional context and the capacities of the players involved. We first review initiatives for enhanced charcoal production in different SSA countries. We then compare the data on carbonisation processes in two production areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Yangambi and the Bateke Plateau. The main findings are: 1) Large gains in wood-to-charcoal conversion rates are possible by improving carbonisation techniques, but success largely depends on the context-specific appropriateness of kiln solutions, on the capacity and awareness of producers and on the enabling institutional context. 2) Enhancing capacity among operators and other stakeholders requires efficient kiln techniques, but also raising awareness on benefits and sustainable sourcing options, building financial and management skills among producer organisations and improving transportation, handling and marketing. 3) The illegal or informal status of charcoal producers across SSA detracts from the efficiency of charcoal production processes, while an enabling institutional framework facilitates producers' access to permits and funding, provides for simple taxation with incentives for more sustainable practices and links technical requirements for carbonisation to sustainable sourcing and end-uses. The success or failure of improved kiln techniques and related socio-ecological outcomes is co-determined by solutions that include the aspects of capacity enhancement, acceptability and enabling institutions identified in this paper. Further development of these solutions in partnership with producers enhances the potential for more sustainable fuelwood value chains.

The management of wood energy has become a major concern for the international community and is the focus of debates in Central Africa. The Makala Project, funded by the EU, fits within this context with the objective of securing the supply of wood energy to urban centers. Over the past three years, various forest resources management techniques have been designed and an assessment of the wood energy sector has been conducted in Kinshasa. Various technical itineraries have been proposed for the management of areas dedicated to the supply of wood energy at various levels, from the farming plot to the village land, and from the individual approach to the collective approach. This article provides a snapshot of the activities developed by the Makala Project to improve the management of periurban forest ecosystems and to secure the supply in wood energy.

The management of wood energy has become a major concern for the international community and is the focus of debates in Central Africa. The Makala Project, funded by the EU, fits within this context with the objective of securing the supply of wood energy to urban centers. Over the past three years, various forest resources management techniques have been designed and an assessment of the wood energy sector has been conducted in Kinshasa. Various technical itineraries have been proposed for the management of areas dedicated to thesupply of wood energy at various levels, from the farming plot to the village land, and from the individual approach to the collective approach. This article provides a snapshot of the activities developed by the Makala Project to improve the management of periurban forest ecosystems and to secure the supply in wood energy. ; Peer reviewed

"With food insecurity, climate change and deforestation and forest degradation remaining key global issues, this paper highlights the role of sustainable woodfuel in improving food security. Food insecurity and a high dependence on woodfuel as a primary cooking fuel are characteristics common to vulnerable groups of people in developing regions of the world.With adequate policy and legal frameworks in place, woodfuel production and harvesting can be sustainable and a main source of green energy. Moreover, the widespread availability of woodfuel, and the enormous market for it, presents opportunities for employment and for sustainable value chains, providing further rationale for promoting this source of energy. This paper explains how sustainable woodfuel is closely linked to food security and provides insights in how the linkages could be strengthened at all stages of woodfuel production, trade and use."--Publisher's description