ASIA

    THE REGIONAL WOOD ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN ASIA (RWEDP)

    RWEDP, during its existence from 1985 through 2001, aimed to assist 16 developing countries in South and Southeast Asia in establishing and strengthening their capabilities to

    • assess wood energy situations

    • plan wood energy development strategies, and

    • implement wood energy supply and utilization programmes.

    The programme promoted the integration of wood energy in the planning and implementation of national energy and forestry programs. It was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and funded by the Government of the Netherlands.

    The Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia (RWEDP)
    - GCP/RAS/154/NET

    The Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia (RWEDP) is a long term project implemented by the Forestry Department of FAO and funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The project started in 1984 and is now in its third phase, 1994-1999. The current phase links 16 countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

    All the named countries are major woodfuel producers and consumers. The share of wood energy in national energy consumption ranges from 20 to 80%. In absolute quantities the consumption of woodfuels is still increasing, and this is expected to remain so for several decades to come. The main uses are in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors. The types of application can be traditional or modern, or any intermediary one.

    Although woodfuels are often considered 'non-commercial', they are widely traded. This is particularly true in urban areas, where woodfuels are most relevant, and where markets for fuelwood and charcoal are thriving. Many people, both in urban and rural areas, earn their main income from the woodfuel business. This can involve growing, harvesting, processing, trading, transporting or retailing. Most of the woodfuel originates from non-forest land and is managed sustainably. It has been found that wood energy use is not a general or main cause of deforestation in Asia.

    Three specialist areas are being addressed by RWEDP, i.e. wood energy resource development, wood energy conservation, and wood energy data & planning. Further specific aspects regard gender issues which play an important role in wood energy supply, trade and utilisation. Common problems in wood energy are with regard to lack of adequate data, institutional weaknesses, and limited skills. As a result, national policies with regard to wood energy are generally not yet well articulated, and RWEDP aims to assist in this.

    The present phase of RWEDP focuses on strengthening institutional capacities in RWEDP-member countries. As a regional programme, RWEDP facilitates and promotes the exchange of relevant experiences in the region. This is implemented by regional workshops, dissemination of information, initiating case studies on innovative subjects, and national training courses. Overall, RWEDP builds on available skills in the region rather than experts from beyond, and stimulates the further development and institutionalization of these skills.

    RWEDP publishes a Newsletter "Wood Energy News" which is distributed to about 3200 institutional subscribers. Furthermore, RWEDP publishes Field Documents and Reports on various aspects of wood energy.

    RWEDP cooperates with Forestry and Energy Departments in member countries, as well as other relevant national departments and organizations. Further cooperation has been developed with various specialised regional and international institutes and organizations.

    For more information please contact Mr. Wim Hulscher, Chief Technical Adviser, RWEDP,
    c/o RAP, Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
    Fax: +66-2-280-0760
    E-mail:RWEDP@fao.org
    http://www.rwedp.org

last updated: Friday, July 18, 2008