Publications
Criteria and indicators for sustainable woodfuels - Case studies from Brazil, Guyana, Nepal, Philippines and Tanzania
2009
There is a general concern that increased woodfuel use may cause additional pressure of already dwindling supply sources leading to additional deforestation and devegetation. As such, standards for sustainable management of different supply sources of fuelwood and charcoal are needed to ensure renewable woodfuel production and uses.
Criteria and indicators for sustainable woodfuels
2010
Reliable, secure and safe energy sources are fundamental to the well-being and social and economic development of all societies. With growing pressure on energy resources and a heavy dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, the world faces two key energy-related problems: the lack of a secure and affordable supply, and the threat of overconsumption leading to irreversible environmental damage.
Cross sectoral approach to forest sector issues: wood energy, implications of Kyoto Protocol and cooperation on forest fires
2006
The importance of a cross-sectoral approach is widely recognized. For instance, the European Forest Sector Outlook Study recommended such approach, which was also taken up by the General Declaration of the Vienna Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) in 2003. In October 2005, a workshop in Riga, Latvia, examined some of the major issues involved.
Forests and energy: new challenges in sustainable forest management
2007
More than half the volume of total wood removals from forests and trees outside forests is used to generate energy, mainly for household cooking and heating. In some countries, for example in sub-saharan Africa, households rely almost completely on woodfuel to meet their energy needs.
Forests and energy regional perspectives: opportunities and challenges for forests and forestry
2008
Wood is increasingly used for energy. High fossil fuel prices together with new energy and environmental policies are making woodfuel an attractive component of energy policy for the reduction of fossil fuels use, improved energy security, and reduced greenhouse gases emissions.
Wood energy for Europe: status and outlook
2010
This paper informs delegates attending the 35th Session of the European Forestry Commission (EFC) about the current status and potential future development of wood energy in the region and offers some possible guiding principles.
What woodfuels can do to mitigate climate change - FAO Forestry Paper 162
2010
This publication explores the scope, potential and implications for using woodfuels to replace fossil fuels and thereby contribute to climate change mitigation. It analyses the current woodfuel offset mechanisms in place and their relative emission reduction potentials.
Woodfuels and climate change mitigation - Case studies from Brazil, India and Mexico
2010
Bioenergy is a here-and-now option that could allow the world to “decarbonize” the global economy before massive investments lock it into a trend of rising emissions. Bioenergy has the potential to shift the geography of international energy markets and challenge the petroleum economy. The world is firmly engaged on a trajectory of increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that, if left unaltered, will trigger massive disruptions in the global climate system.
Power and heat plants - Study prepared for the FAO portfolio of small-scale forest industries for developing countries
1993
Much attention has been paid recently to the wood wastes of the mechanical forest industry as a potential source of fuel. The rising oil price and the growing risk of disturbances in oil supply are calling for an increased utilization of wood wastes in energy production. At the present price level of fuel oil, wood based power and heat generation seems to be economically justified even in small scale forest industries.
Wood gas as engine fuel - FAO Forestry Paper 72
1986
Wood gasifiers played an important role in the past in the substitution of oil-based fuels in internal combustion engines, but fell into disuse after the Second World War because of their economic and technical disadvantages as compared with relatively inexpensive imported fuels.
Energy conservation in the mechanical forest industries - FAO Forestry Paper 93
1991
Although energy conservation has played an important role in improving the energy efficiency of forest industries in the industrialized world, it has received less attention by those industries in the developing countries. For these countries, energy conservation would be especially important since most of them spend large amounts of valuable foreign currency on their fuel imports. Increased energy efficiency would also reduce their manufacturing costs.
Improved stove selection and dissemination - ASIA Regional Training of Trainers Workshop (GCP/RAS/154/NET)
1998
This document is a report on the Asia Regional Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop on Improved Stove Selection and Dissemination, which was held in Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia from June 29 - July 8, 1997. In total 20 participants from 8 Asian countries (Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan) were trained in the use of a training module developed by ARECOP (Asia Regional Cookstove Program).
Improved cook stove programs - Some lessons from Asia
1998
The main paradigm for successful improved cook stove (ICS) programmes has always been and will always remain "understanding users needs". Lack of appreciation of this paradigm amongst field workers is still faltering many ICS programmes. Besides other factors play a role with respect to the success of an ICS programme. This paper gives an overview of important aspects which have to be taken into account in an improved cook stove program.
Stoves on the carbon market
1999
It is explored how programmes for introducing (improved) woodstoves can be justified in terms of greenhouse gas reduction at competitive cost. The discussion is put in the context of real life observations in Asia and alternative justifications for stove programmes. A few options for putting stoves on the international 'carbon market' are briefly analysed. Tentative results show that a stove project could well result in reduction of CO2 emission at a cost of less than 2 US$/ton.
Asia industrial and institutional stove compendium
2001
The compendium on Small-scale Industrial and Institutional Stoves contains a wealth of information on a sector which generally does not recieve much attention from outsiders including policy makers. That is unfortunate, as the small scale industrial sector, in particular those based in rural areas, provides an opportunity for local people to process local raw materials.
Industrial charcoal making - FAO Forestry Paper 63
1985
Charcoal making is an old and honourable trade. Its origins are lost in prehistory and the traditional methods of making it have changed surprisingly little -from ancient times till now. The only new factors are that the simple methodologies have been rationalised and that science has verified the basic processes which take place during carbonisation and spelled out the quantitative and qualitative laws which govern the process.
Simple technologies for charcoal making - FAO Forestry Paper 41
1987
Charcoal in developing countries is mainly used as domestic fuel for cooking and heating but it is also an important industrial fuel. Large amounts are used in foundries and forges; in the extraction and refining of metals, especially iron, and in numerous other metallurgical and chemical applications. In those developing countries with abundant forest resources the export of charcoal can be a profitable industry.
Plantations and wood energy - Working Paper FP/5
2001
This paper reviews the current situation and future for trees planted for energy in developing countries. As most of these developing countries are located in the tropics, the emphasis is on the tropical situation.This paper reviews the current situation and future for trees planted for energy in developing countries. As most of these developing countries, as defined in the World Energy Council report (WEC 1999) are located in the tropics, the emphasis is on the tropical situation.
Wood energy information in Africa - Review of TCDC Wood Energy country reports and comparison with theregional WETT study
2001
This study is part of the Wood Energy Planning and Policy Development Component (WEPP) of the EC-FAO Partnership Programme “Sustainable Forest Management Programme in African ACP Countries”, and it is a follow-up to the activities of the previous leg of the Programme, during which several woodfuels data collection initiatives were initiated and carried out.