SHIFTING FROM CHARCOAL/FIREWOOD TO LPG

Problem: Massive deforestation for charcoal and firewood fuels.

Solution: Adoption  of LPG as main source of energy for cooking. 

As the forested area is cleared and land left bare, there is a projected increases in temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns and extreme weather events, and reductions in water availability has contributed to  reduction in agricultural productivity.

 Changes in weather patterns disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food systems.  Food systems have complex economic and social value chains that effect many parts of the global economy.

In the year 2016 there was a shift in the viability of coffee growing areas  wiping out US $265.8 million approx. 40% of export revenue in Uganda due to drought.

The solution will contribute to sustainability of global food supply chains and fight against hunger, poverty as well as disease burden/respiratory complication brought by inhaling carbon monoxide (smoke).

Specific problem: Deforestation for charcoal and firewood fuels. 

Deforestation is a local issue but has global consequences such as climate change which does not recognize geographic boundaries.

Uganda is at risk of losing all its forests if deforestation continues at its present rate. For a household of 7 people to have daily meal, requires 5kg of charcoal.

About 9kgs of wood are needed to produce 1kg of charcoal which translates into 22% efficiency on energy output to energy input basis.

Over 90% of the population in rural areas know  Charcoal and firewood fuels  as the only source of energy for cooking.

 Farmers are already struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing and increasingly erratic weather patterns since rain is not falling when it is supposed to and drought has left many farmers struggling to find enough food to feed their families.

Factors contributing to deforestation for charcoal/ wood fuels are:

1.         Ignorance where people are stuck in old ways of cooking. Around 95% of population in rural areas have no idea about usage of  (LPG)

2.         Lack of sensitization to urban dwellers who see  LPG as expensive which is not true

3.         Electricity tariffs are high beyond poor man’s reach.

Solution: Increasing the awareness for the Use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Cooking.

What does it do?

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7)—ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030—will therefore require a massive scale-up in the deployment and adoption of clean and affordable clean cooking solutions and LPG usage is seen as immediate solution to replace charcoal and wood fuels

 What processes and technology does it use?

Given the grant, we shall conduct nationwide sensitization campaign and engage the government  to adopt national LPG master plan to craft policies and reforms.

The Master plan will define investments and interventions to increase the share of households cooking with LPG.

Target population: Urban Slum dwellers and low income people in rural areas who 

Charcoal and wood fuels are not cheap but people are just stuck in old ways.

People need to be educated 

Deforestation is the leading cause of climate change.

The Uganda is highly vulnerable to climate change and variability thus, its economy and the wellbeing of its people are tightly bound to climate.

Deforestation with its negative impacts of climate change today has the potential to halt as well as reverse the country's development trajectory.

Minimizing deforestation will save remaining forests which act as water catchment areas.

LPG usage and abandoning charcoal and wood fuels is the best option.

The solution is being tested in western Uganda. 

Community leadership were given LPG cylinders. Demonstrations are conducted in village halls. Experiments are conducted by cooking food (Beans) using open firewood, Charcoal stoves and LPG cylinders using Pressure cooker