Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Schure J., Ingram V., Sakho-Jimbira M. S., Levang Patrice, Wiersum K. F. (2013). Formalisation of charcoal value chains and livelihood outcomes in Central- and West Africa. Energy for Sustainable Development, 17 (2), p. 95-105. ISSN 0973-0826.

Titre du document
Formalisation of charcoal value chains and livelihood outcomes in Central- and West Africa
Année de publication
2013
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000317091400004
Auteurs
Schure J., Ingram V., Sakho-Jimbira M. S., Levang Patrice, Wiersum K. F.
Source
Energy for Sustainable Development, 2013, 17 (2), p. 95-105 ISSN 0973-0826
This paper examines the link between formalisation of charcoal institutions and livelihood outcomes in Central- and West Africa. The woodfuel trade generally commenced informally, little controlled by legal or bureaucratic means. Developing formal institutions is often considered as a way of managing charcoal production more sustainably. However, formalisation can have adverse effects for charcoal producers and traders when this hinders their capacity to access the resource or markets. In order to assess the relations between the formalisation of charcoal institutions and socio-economic outcomes for those involved, this study combines a value chain and livelihoods perspective. A review of case studies and empirical data show that (I) West African countries, with a longer history of dealing with woodfuel issues, have more formal mechanisms in place to deal with charcoal management and these are more embedded into cross-sectorial energy and environmental policies; (2) Despite regulatory mechanisms dealing with woodfuel in all countries, institutions are mainly embedded in informal institutions and based upon customary rules, which allows large numbers of actors to be involved, but also leads to substantial unsustainable and unofficial production, corrupt practises and loss of tax revenues; (3) Formal mechanisms can have negative consequences, such as: conflicts of interests over tax revenues, difficulties in avoiding 'free riders' from sustainable management initiatives, and disproportional benefits reaped by more powerful urban-based actors. Comparing the West African countries with Central African countries where attention is relatively new, indicates that conditions for successful charcoal institutions are: devolving power and responsibilities for woodfuel management to a local level, monitoring woodfuel trade, (tax) incentives for sustainably produced charcoal and reinvesting taxes in social and environmental aims.
Plan de classement
Economie générale / Macroéconomie [094] ; Economie et sociologie rurale [098]
Description Géographique
AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST ; AFRIQUE CENTRALE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010060805]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010060805
Contact