Natural resource management experts, government and its development partners have debated the charcoal trade for some time, but until now, there has been little solid evidence on the scale and scope of the subject. Lacking information on the true value of the charcoal industry, policy makers have had little choice but to develop policies based on impressions rather than facts. Since charcoal has very high potential to be a renewable resource, this study is intended to stimulate and encourage an informed charcoal debate, based on a quantified picture of the industry as a whole. The study aimed to do the following: determine the scale and economic value of the charcoal industry in Malawi; identify the driving forces behind charcoal production, understand the key players and the value chain, and find out where and how charcoal is produced, marketed and consumed; provide a sound basis for policy development that reduces the negative impacts of the industry while encouraging the positive attributes.

Type of Case
Printed publication (book, sourcebook, journal article…)

Publisher
IIED

Region
Africa

Biome
Tropical

Forest Type
All forest types (natural and planted)

Primary Designated Function
Production