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Are policies in Africa conducive to sustainability interventions in the charcoal sector?: a preliminary assessment of 31 countries

  • 22/03/2023
  • FAO

This publication presents the key findings from a preliminary assessment of the policies of African countries relevant to charcoal value chains. The main objective of this study is to assess the extent to which national energy and environmental policies and strategies in Africa have the potential to provide enabling conditions for sustainability interventions in the charcoal sector. The study was limited to the 31 countries that have pledged commitment to the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100). A content analysis of their environment and energy policy documents was undertaken to assess: (i) how charcoal is portrayed; (ii) what types of intervention are proposed; and (iii) who they recognize as legitimate and valuable stakeholders to contribute to the sector. The information obtained was used to assess countries’ potential conduciveness, based on 42 criteria.