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Fuelwood in South Africa Revisited: Widespread Use in a Policy Vacuum

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  • Charlie Shackleton

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa)

  • Gisele Sinasson

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa)

  • Opeyemi Adeyemi

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa)

  • Vusumzi Martins

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa)

Abstract

South Africa has experienced massive urbanisation and socioeconomic development over the past two decades. Concomitantly, the national energy policy focuses on the provision of modern fuels, notably electricity, for domestic use. Given this policy environment and socioeconomic development, we examine pertinent literature and policies from South Africa on fuelwood use, value, and sustainability to understand how it might have changed in tandem with the national shifts in urbanisation and socioeconomic development over the last 20 years. Recent literature shows that fuelwood is still used to some extent by 96% of rural households and 69% of low-income urban ones. We also estimate that the use of fuelwood by rural households alone is valued at approximately ZAR 10.5 billion (approx. USD 700 million) annually, with the probability of an equally high value to low-income urban households. However, despite the extensive use and high value, our analysis of cognate national policies related to energy, forestry, environment, and social development, show that fuelwood and its use is hardly considered, indicating a policy vacuum. This policy vacuum means that there is no strategic or apposite support or interventions in any localised areas where fuelwood demand might exceed supply, thereby undermining the livelihoods and energy security of affected citizens, most notably the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Charlie Shackleton & Gisele Sinasson & Opeyemi Adeyemi & Vusumzi Martins, 2022. "Fuelwood in South Africa Revisited: Widespread Use in a Policy Vacuum," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:11018-:d:905998
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    1. Shackleton, C.M. & Adeyemi, O. & Setty, S., 2024. "Why are non-wood forest products still the poor relative in Global Forest Resources Assessments?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    2. Marcel Maré & Mugendi K. M’Rithaa & Alettia Chisin, 2023. "Influencing Motivations Linked to the Adoption of Improved Flame-Based Cookstoves among Indigent South African Households: A Behaviour-Centred Design Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.

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