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 …
Every morning and evening, millions of women in India spend an hour or two cooking their rice, dal, curry, and roti or other flat bread. Most will prepare their meals over a smoky, 3-stone open fire or a traditional clay or brick cook stove called a chulha. The stoves burn …
The latest issues of both the World Energy Outlook (WEO) and the World Economic and Social Survey (WESS) brought to the fore the importance and urgency of a low carbon revolution in order to align climate and development imperative and digress from the alarming fossil-fuel dependent path. Although both the …
Energy is a prime requirement for sustainable development and poverty reduction. The energy dimension of poverty is fundamental. Lack of energy/electricity perpetuates poverty as it precludes most industrial activities and the jobs they create. The author brings out that in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals of halving poverty …
This report illustrates two alternative approaches to promoting sustainable woodfuel production by farmers and communities with a commercial focus. The report aims to provide readers with a thorough analysis of these two approaches, focusing on strategic aspects, guiding principles, overall results, and lessons learned. These approaches are: Community Based Woodfuel …
Dr. Aracely Castro of the International Center of Tropical Agriculture presents a new model of agricultural management that makes life better for farmers, the soil they till and ecosystems that surround them. Lesson one: mulch, don
This article draws on research the author carried out in Ghana and Burkina Faso to explore the impact of a transboundary water governance project on poor people
The pilot study of user experience with traditional and improved cookstoves based on research in five Indian states. Provides an understanding of traditional cooking practices,looks at some of the improved cook stoves currently in the market & assesses user experience surrounding use of these improved cookstoves. Traditional cookstoves are used …
The energy poverty that typifies rural areas of developing countries in Africa is staggering in its proportions. These areas have become trapped in subsistence-level economies characterised by inefficient use of
A survey has been carried out in a cluster of four villages in Amaniganj Block of Faizabad District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. The survey is based on primary and secondary data collected from household and village level questionnaires. The present energy consumption in cooking, lighting, other domestic activities, …
Despite the numerous benefits associated with cleaner alternatives, the transition to improved fuels and stoves has not progressed hugely in Sub-Saharan Africa. Why is it that so often, well designed, efficient and clean stoves fail to penetrate the market in developing countries? In order to design effective policies and programmes …
While REDD presents opportunities for positive social outcomes, it also brings risks of serious negative outcomes. The current discussions on REDD mechanisms and impacts have paid little attention to the gender differentiated impacts of REDD, in terms of the increased vulnerability of rural women to its negative consequences and the …
The Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihoods (RERL) project tries to demonstrate the use of renewable sources of energy in reducing poverty through improved quality of life and increased livelihood opportunities in remote, non-electrified villages of India that are not likely to get electricity from the grid. The objectives of the …
The Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihoods (RERL) project tries to demonstrate the use of renewable sources of energy in reducing poverty through improved quality of life and increased livelihood opportunities in remote, non-electrified villages of India that are not likely to get electricity from the grid. The objectives of the …
The high quality timber species sal of the South Kamrup area has come under tremendous pressure following illegal logging. Over-exploitation for the last 20 years has inflicted a major blow on the huge stocks of sal forest, triggering habitat shrinkage and the consequent man-elephant conflict which has become an annual …
Understanding the issues and perspectives of the community, giving voice to their ideas and facilitating institutional building are key in bringing about a sustainable and equitable change. Bringing a
The government would extend all possible support for production and promotion of solar water heaters in Pakistan, said Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chairman AEDB/Minister for Water and Power, while presiding over the 19th AEDB Board meeting here on Friday. He said that the use of solar water heaters would drastically reduce …
Water shortages present the greatest future threat to the viability of Pakistan as a state and a society, warns a new book on Pakistan. Author Michael Kugelman argues that
Forests provide a number of goods and services to the people. The dependence is very high especially amongst the tribals who live close to nature and collect food, fuelwood, timber, bamboos, medicinal plants and other non-wood products from the forests. However, with the increasing socio-economic standard of the people, their …
The second oil crisis of 1979 had just ended when the Government of Sri Lanka decided in 1982 to place energy efficiency and demand management as the top priority, with the energy ministry functioning directly under the President. By 1983, burdened with a severe drought requiring more thermal power generation …
