Environmental Sustainability Analysis of Charcoal Production in Mulanay, Quezon, Philippines JESAM
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93 Journal of Environmental Science and Management Special Issue 2-2016: 93-100 ISSN 0119-1144 Environmental Sustainability Analysis of Charcoal Production in Mulanay, Quezon, Philippines JESAM ABSTRACT Global and historical trends show the re-emergence of woodfuels as alternative Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon1 sources of energy amid concerns over their environmental impacts. Charcoal production, Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon2 in particular, remains a significant source of indigenous energy for developing countries Leonardo M. Florece2 like the Philippines, where it is perceived as a cause of deforestation and environmental Carmelita M. Rebancos2 degradation. This study presents a case where charcoal production can be practiced on Antonio J. Alcantara2 a sustainable basis by focusing on aspects that affect the environment, namely, wood source, harvesting strategy and production techniques. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and a survey among charcoal producers in Mulanay, Quezon revealed a preference on hardwoods that produce slow-burning charcoals and other readily- 1 School of Environmental Science and available, usually invasive, tree species. Harvesting strategies include tree felling and Management and Office of the Vice pruning and rotational harvesting to allow stock replenishment. Charcoal producers Chancellor for Research and Extension, employ an old but simple production technique called ‘binulkan’, which has an efficiency University of the Philippines Los rate of 7.7% by weight. The study concludes that an environmentally-sustainable charcoal Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines industry in Mulanay can be achieved by planting and utilizing suitable tree species and 4031 improving harvesting systems and production techniques. Further study is recommended 2 School of Environmental Science and to assess the feasibility of establishing wood plantations for charcoal production with Management, UPLB regard to its poverty reduction potential and continued benefits to the community. *corresponding author: Key words: charcoal production, environmental sustainability [email protected] INTRODUCTION The potential of biomass energy, particularly energy in the form of woodfuels and agricultural residues woodfuels, as an alternative to fossil fuel-based energy are the sources of fuel and income for the poor. As a source sources is currently gaining worldwide attention. The Food of livelihood, charcoal production and trade become part and Agriculture Organization (2004) defines woodfuels of a long term agricultural cycle (Arnold et al. 2006). as “any type of biofuel derived directly or indirectly from During land preparation, instead of just clearing the land trees and shrubs grown on forest and non-forest land.” and burning biomass, farmers gather small diameter trees, Woodfuels – fuelwood and charcoal – provide for more than bushes and shrubs to make charcoal as a means to augment 14% of the world’s total primary energy (FAO 1996). In its their income during the off-harvest season (Cruz et al. 2005 Update of the Philippine Energy Plan, the Department 1991). For some, however, making charcoal becomes a of Energy (DOE) noted that the country’s energy mix was primary source of livelihood particularly when there is lack and will continue to be dependent on indigenous energy, of any other economic opportunity. including woodfuels. Charcoal, in particular, was used by an average of 35% of all households in the Philippines based Since charcoal is produced locally, the employment on the Household Energy Consumption Survey (HCES) for generated by its production is often cited as a major benefit. 1989, 1995 and 2004 (Table 1). Yet this economic contribution is marginally written about at greater lengths (Trossero 2002a). Charcoal trade provides Charcoal contributes only 2.2% or roughly 5.5 income to rural folks whose labor is hugely required in Million Barrels of Fuel Oil Equivalent (MMBFOE) of the harvesting, processing, transporting and trading of the fuel. Philippine energy demand on a national scale (Table 2) Studies reveal that the woodfuel trade, including charcoal, (DOE 2004), but it translates to 1.148 MT or more than a generates 20 times more local employment than other forms billion kg of charcoal consumed every year. of energy within the national economy and on a per unit basis. But because the trade occurs as a small-scale informal In a developing country like the Philippines, biomass sector, no comprehensive statistics on the magnitude of its 94 Environmental Sustainability Analysis of Charcoal Production employment and income generation exists (FAO 2001a as Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon, at the southern tip of Southern cited by Trossero 2002b). Tagalog. Bounded on the north by Catanauan, on the east by San Narciso, on the south by San Francisco, on the While the charcoal industry provides a viable west by Tayabas Sea, Mulanay is accessible via land and alternative to fossil fuels and serves as an income source for water. Located between 13º31.5´ North and 122º24.5´ East, rural folks, disagreements exist on its environmental impacts this first class municipality is 279 kilometers away from and sustainability as a livelihood. It is often perceived as a Manila and 142 kilometers from Lucena City, its provincial cause of deforestation and environmental degradation. In capital (Figure 2). Mulanay is divided into 28 barangays this study, charcoal production in Mulanay, Quezon was – four Poblacions and 24 rural barangays. Most of the presented as a case where environmental sustainability barangays are along the road while some are remote. 10 of couldbe ensured by focusing on the following aspects that the barangays are found along the coast. As of 2010, total affect the environment: wood source, harvesting strategy population is 50,826 majority of which rely on subsistence and production techniques. farming and fishing. Sustainable charcoal production can be promoted The study used household survey, focus group as a tool in poverty reduction. As such, this study aimed discussion and key informant interviews for data to analyze and assess the environmental sustainability collection. Descriptive statistics, using measures of central of charcoal production in Mulanay. Specifically, it was tendency, were used to analyze and interpret data. Some designed to profile the charcoal producers and charcoal relations were estimated using derived measurements. production area; develop and test suitable criteria and These were analyzed vis-à-vis an adapted set of criteria indicators for environmental sustainability analysis of and indicators based on FAO’s Forestry Paper: Criteria charcoal production; and used the criteria and indicators and Indicators for Sustainable Woodfuels released in 2010. in examining the environmental sustainability of charcoal production. Criteria and Indicators (C and I) are neutral assessment tools which measure, assess, monitor and demonstrate METHODOLOGY progress towards attaining the sustainable management of resources (Mwampamba et al. 2013). This set of C and The Study Area I was guided by overarching principle/s which providing the primary framework for managing forests sustainably Mulanay is part of the twelve municipalities of (CIFOR 1999). Table 1. Trends in household energy consumption. Typically done by international forest management % of Households Using Fuel entities to establish proof of sustainable forest management, Fuel Type 1989 1995 2004 the concept of C and I are usually presented in a hierarchical Electricity 64.7 83.9 87.6 structure (Figure 1). Kerosene 74.75 79.9 56.3 LPG 21.9 33.0 51.8 A criterion serves to define goals which add meaning Charcoal 32.1 38.5 34.2 to a principle without itself being a direct measure of Biomass Residue 46.4 29.2 18.9 performance (Stupak et al. 2011). Indicators, on the other Source: DOE’s 1989, 1995 and 2004 Household Energy Consumption Surveys Table 2. Primary energy consumption in the Philippines, 2002 vs. 2001 (in Million Barrels of Fuel Oil Equivalent). 2002 2001 Percent Change Share Relative to Total Energy 2002 2001 Renewable 108.8 107.4 1.3 43.4 43.2 Geothermal 17.7 18.0 -1.9 7.0 7.2 Hydro 12.1 12.2 -1.0 4.8 4.9 Biomass 78.8 77.0 2.4 31.4 31.0 Wood/Woodwaste 44.7 43.7 2.3 17.8 17.6 Bagasse 11.2 11.0 2.2 4.5 4.4 Charcoal 5.5 5.4 1.3 2.2 2.2 Agriwaste 17.5 16.9 3.1 7.0 6.8 Others 0. 0.2 28.3 0.1 0.1 Source: DOE 2004 Journal of Environmental Science and Management Special Issue No. 2 2016 95 hand, are quantitative or qualitative variables that are measurable or described and which can show trends over time (FAO 2010). Designed to test for socio-cultural, economicand environmental sustainability of forest management, it is also meant to be flexible and adaptable for application globally, regionally and locally at different scales. For this particular research, analysis for environmental sustainability of the charcoal industry in Mulanay was done using an adapted set of C and I from FAO. In it was a set of principles, criteria and indicators specifically for sustainable charcoal production. The selection of Principle, Criteria and Indicators presented herein demonstrates a more suitable and more appropriate set for Mulanay that was employed in this study (Table 3). In this study, the maintenance of ecosystem function and services was the overarching principle of environmental sustainability for charcoal production and served as the “fundamental law or truth” on which the criteria and Figure 2. Administrative Map of Mulanay, overlayed with indicators were based. Charcoal production is extractive in SPOT 5 Image taken October 2004. nature; thus it is important that its non-forest sources were not undermined, since they derive from ecosystems that are part of a bigger landscape providing various goods and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION services for human consumption (Thompson 2011). Mulanay Charcoal Producers’ Profile A total of 63 charcoal producers were surveyed in Mulanay between February and November 2012. Owing to the labor-intensive nature of charcoal-making, most respondents belong to the 20-59 age range and are predominantly male (73%).