2009年-世界发展银行全球_Environmental_Crisis_or_Sustainable_Development_Opportunity__Transforming_the_Charcoal_Sector_in_Tanzania___A_Policy_Note_72页_2mb

Environmental Crisis or Sustainable Development Opportunity? Transforming the Charcoal Sector in Tanzania

Core Content

The World Bank's Environment and Natural Resources Unit produced a policy note analyzing the charcoal sector in Tanzania, highlighting its role in the national economy, its environmental impact, and the need for reform to make it sustainable and inclusive.

Main Points

• Charcoal as a Key Energy Source:
  Charcoal is the main source of household energy in urban areas, and wood fuels (firewood and charcoal) satisfy 90% of Tanzania's energy needs. Between 2001 and 2007, the proportion of households in Dar es Salaam using charcoal increased from 47% to 71%.

• Economic Contribution:
  The charcoal sector contributes approximately US $650 million annually to the economy, providing income to several hundred thousand people, mostly in poorer households. However, its contribution to government revenue is limited due to widespread evasion of licensing fees and transport levies, with estimated losses of about US $100 million per year.

• Environmental Impact:
  Charcoal is generally unsustainably harvested from dry woodlands, leading to deforestation and degradation. This affects water catchments and, in turn, energy and water supplies. The charcoal trade is dominated by a few powerful entrepreneurs, which undermines sustainable practices and regulatory compliance.

• Current Governance and Regulatory Challenges:
  The sector is characterized by weak governance, low law enforcement capacity, and widespread corruption. These issues hinder effective regulation and revenue collection, making it difficult to enforce sustainable practices and reduce illegal production.

• Need for Formalization and Sustainability:
  The charcoal sector must be transformed into a sustainable and formalized business to address environmental concerns and support economic development. This requires a shift in policy perception from negative to enabling, allowing responsible enterprises to thrive.

Key Information

• Charcoal Consumption Trends:
  Charcoal consumption is expected to increase due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and rising fossil fuel prices. Dar es Salaam alone accounts for about 500,000 tons of annual consumption.

• Charcoal Production and Distribution:
  Charcoal is produced using traditional earth kilns, and the sector is dominated by small-scale producers and traders. The trade is concentrated in urban areas, with significant implications for forest cover and water resources.

• Policy Recommendations:
  The policy note proposes several reforms to improve the sector, including:

  • Pilot Districts for Reform:
    Identifying pilot districts with political will to reform the charcoal trade and allow local governments to retain a higher share of revenue from charcoal, which can be reinvested in sector regulation and management.

  • Fiscal Incentives:
    Introducing reduced licensing costs for sustainably produced charcoal and tougher sanctions for illegal production. This would help align the cost of legal charcoal with that of illegal charcoal, encouraging formalization.

  • Improved Monitoring and Enforcement:
    Strengthening the capacity of government agencies to monitor and enforce regulations. This includes increasing the number and effectiveness of checkpoints and building fixed trading sites in urban areas.

  • Efficiency Measures:
    Promoting improved kiln technologies and fuel-efficient stoves to reduce the amount of wood needed for charcoal production and consumption. These measures would help offset the costs of sustainable practices.

  • Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM):
    Encouraging CBFM to secure tenure for rural producers and promote sustainable harvesting. This requires local assessments and implementation of harvesting plans, supported by fiscal reforms.

  • Plantations and Woodlots:
    Establishing small-scale plantations and woodlots to increase wood supply for charcoal production. Subsidies may be necessary initially, but should be gradually replaced with market-based incentives.

  • Fuel Switching:
    Targeting better-off households for fuel switching to alternative energy sources such as LPG and electricity. This can reduce absolute charcoal consumption and promote more sustainable energy use.

Economic and Social Implications

• Impact on Livelihoods:
  The informal nature of the sector limits the ability of small-scale producers and traders to invest in sustainable practices. Formalization would improve their livelihoods and create a more stable and regulated market.

• Cost of Reform:
  The cost of implementing these reforms is estimated, and the policy note suggests that the long-term benefits outweigh the initial investment. The reforms would also help in broadening the tax base and increasing government revenue.

Conclusion

The charcoal sector in Tanzania presents both a challenge and an opportunity. While it contributes significantly to the economy and employment, its current practices are unsustainable and harmful to the environment. The policy note argues that with appropriate reforms, the sector can be transformed into a sustainable and profitable business, benefiting both the environment and the people. These reforms require strong political support, collaboration between relevant ministries, and the involvement of local communities and stakeholders.

Key Recommendations

• Identify and support pilot districts for regulatory and fiscal reform.
• Develop a fiscal incentive system to reward sustainable production.
• Strengthen monitoring and enforcement capacity.
• Promote efficiency measures such as improved kilns and stoves.
• Expand community-based forest management and support tree planting initiatives.
• Encourage fuel switching among better-off households.
• Integrate charcoal sector reforms with broader development plans and climate initiatives like REDD.

Policy Context

The policy note was prepared with input from various stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and development partners. It was peer-reviewed and supported by the Tanzania Traditional Energy Development and Environment Organization (TaTEDO) and other local institutions. The reforms aim to create a more sustainable and inclusive sector that supports both economic development and environmental protection.