December1998 Vol. 13 No. 3 Issued by the Regional Wood Energy Development Programme in Asia (GCP/RAS/154/NET)

Wood Energy in China

Village Biomass Gas Supply Environment ...... 13 Contents System ...... 8 Health and Wealth, No Regrets15 Fuel-saving Stoves ...... 9 Integrated Rural Energy Editorial ...... 2 Gender and Wood Energy in Development at County Level . 17 Biomass Energy Consumption .. 3 Yunnan Province ...... 10 Wood Energy in Forestry Biomass Energy Supply ...... 4 Women in Energy Reform ...... 11 Education ...... 19 Classification of Fuelwood Wood Energy Planning - Publication Review ...... 20 Forests ...... 5 A Case Study ...... 13 News and Notes ...... 22 Fuelwood Forests Development 6 Wood Energy and the Global Events ...... 23 Colophon Editorial Programme Information The Regional Wood Energy Development Pro- gramme in Asia (RWEDP) aims to assist 16 This is the first time an issue of Wood Energy News has focused on a single developing countries in establishing and strength- country. RWEDP feels this is appropriate in the case of China because the country ening their capabilities to assess wood energy situations, plan wood energy development strate- is a new member of the regional programme and it is also the largest member. We gies and implement wood energy supply and have observed that many people in other countries are very interested to learn utilization programmes. The programme promotes more about wood energy in China. the integration of wood energy in the planning and implementation of national energy and forestry programmes. It has been claimed that energy development in China will have a relatively large Wood Energy News impact on the global environment due to the sheer size of the population. However, international interest in China is not only due to the size of the country. Quite a few The programme’s newsletter, Wood Energy News, which is published on a regular basis, addresses a institutions, methods and technologies have been developed inside China which wide variety of wood energy issues, such as are successful and which differ from those elsewhere. Moreover, substantial woodfuel resources, woodfuel flows, wood en- changes have taken place in China in recent years which are of great interest, but ergy planning and policies and wood energy tech- nologies. Its purpose is to share information on at the same time, language barriers have often hampered the communication of wood energy with its subscribers. Suggestions, these changes. reactions or contributions are more than welcome, and don’t forget to share your own experiences. As far as wood and other biomass energy is concerned, there are many interesting Those wishing to obtain Wood Energy News developments from China: from the institutionalization of rural energy at central, can write to the RWEDP secretariat at: provincial and county levels to the implementation of fuelwood forests, and stove Regional Wood Energy Development and gasification technologies. Gender-related issues are also of particular interest. Programme in Asia (GCP/RAS/154/NET) FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road It seems that few people, if any, are in a position to overview the Chinese biomass Bangkok 10200, Thailand energy scene, or even the wood energy scene in the country. Fax: +66-2-280 0760 Phone: +66-2-280 2760 E-mail: [email protected] The present issue of Wood Energy News does not pretend to provide a complete Internet: http://www.rwedp.org overview of Chinese situation. However, it may help to bring some relevant aspects Project Members to the attention of a wider audience. In translating and interpreting original sources Dr W Hulscher Chief Technical Advisor from the Chinese language, we have experienced problems of definition and Auke Koopmans Wood Energy Conservation terminology, which have not been satisfactorily resolved. Probably, more work Conrado Heruela Wood Energy Planning needs to be done in order to interpret primary sources, analyse policies and their Tara Bhattarai Wood Energy Resources Joost Siteur APO/Wood Energy Planning effects, and resolve data conflicts. Closer linkages between experts from different Bert van der Plas APO/Information Systems countries will benefit wood energy development, and energy development at large. Publications The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or bound- Front painting: Fire of Life, by Mr. Weiguo Wang, Xian Institute of Traditional aries. Chinese Painting, Shanxi, China. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors alone and do not imply any opinion whatsoever on the part of the FAO.

Programme Focal Points

Bangladesh:Chief Conservator of Forests, Forest Dept, Environment and Forests; Secr., Min. of Commission Secretariat Min. of Environment and Forest; Non-Conventional Energy Sources. Pakistan: Inspector General of Forests, Min. of Env., Industry and Energy Dev., Planning Indonesia: DG of Electricity and Energy Devt; Local Govt and Rural Devt.; Chairman, Commission, Min. of Planning. Dir of Regreening and Social Forestry, Pakistan Council of Appropriate Tech.; Bhutan: Dir, Dept of Power, Min. of Trade; Min. of Forestry. Chief, Energy Wing, Planning and Devt. Joint Secretary, Forest Services Division, Laos: DG, Dept of Forestry, Min. of Agriculture Divison Min. of Agriculture. and Forestry. Philippines Secretary, Dept of Energy; Secretary, Cambodia: Dep. Dir., Dept. of Forests and Wildlife; Malaysia: DG, Forest Research Institute; Dept of Environment and Natural Res. Secretary of State, Min. of Industry, Mines DG, Economic Planning Unit, Sri Lanka: Conservator of Forests, Forest Dept; and Energy. PM’s Dept. Sec., Min. of Irrigation, Power & Energy. China: Asst. Professor, Institute of Forestry, Maldives: Dep. Director, Agricultural Services, Min. Thailand: DG, Royal Forest Dept; DG, Dept of Chinese Academy of Forestry; of Fisheries and Agriculture Energy Development and Promotion. Dep. Dir, IEEP, Chinese Academy of Myanmar: DG, Forest Dept; DG, Energy Planning Vietnam: Director, Forest Sciences Institute; Dep. Agricultural Engineering Research and Dept, Min. of Energy Dir., Institute of Energy, Min. of Energy. Planning. Nepal: DG, Forest Dept; India: Inspector General of Forests, Min. of Executive Secretary, Water and Energy

page 2 Wood Energy News Biomass Energy Consumption in China

Zheng Luo Table 3. Rural energy consumption structure in China

Commercial Fuels Biomass Fuels Total Biomass energy constituted 23% of the Year Sub- Crop Fuel Sub- Others Coal Oil Electri. Manure Consum. total energy consumed in China in 1995 total stalks wood total (IEA, 1994/5). It plays an important role 1979 957 44 90 1,091 3,306 3,016 174 6,496 7,587 in the rural energy system which directly 1987 1,728 55 207 1,990 3,770 3,845 94 7,709 9,699 1990 6,206 803 980 7,989 3,828 3,811 7,639 15,628 concerns the livelihood of 70% of 1992 6,915 939 1,543 9,397 3,930 3,199 7,129 16,526 China’s inhabitants. In 1993, biomass 1993 7,207 1,073 1,760 10,040 4,544 3,515 8,059 815 18,914 accounted for 43% of the total energy % of the sub-total consumed in rural China. The share of 1979 88% 4% 8% 100% 51% 46% 3% 100% biomass energy used in total rural 1987 87% 3% 10% 100% 49% 50% 1% 100% energy consumption has declined from 1990 78% 10% 12% 100% 50% 50% 100% 86% in 1979 to 40% in 1992, according 1992 74% 10% 16% 100% 55% 45% 100% to Feng Liu, 1993. However, since there 1993 72% 11% 17% 100% 56% 44% 100% is a lack of reliable time-series data and % in the total rural energy Consumption 1979 12% 0.6% 1% 14% 44% 40% 2% 86% 100% large variations between different data 1987 18% 0.7% 0.2% 21% 39% 40% 0.8% 79% 100% sources on biomass use, it is very 1990 40% 5% 6% 51% 25% 25% 49% 100% difficult to give a detailed report, 1992 42% 6% 9% 57% 24% 19% 43% 100% especially concerning the recent trend. 1993 38% 5% 9% 53% 24% 19% 43% 4% 100% Data from EDP-Asia indicate that biomass energy consumption declined during 1987-1992. However, it slightly 80’s. It is reported that approximately supply, so people have to use the increased thereafter. IEA data show 142.56 million farm households, i.e. 70 relatively abundant crop stalks instead. that biomass use increased by 8% % of the total rural households, had during 1993-1995. adopted fuel-saving stoves by the end The consumption of wood and other of 1991. As a result, 1,740 PJ in the biomass fuels outside the rural Table 1. Biomass energy consump- form of woodfuel and coal are saved household sector is not considered in tion in China annually. The second factor is the most data collection and analysis. The Biomass Share in Total Energy increasing use of commercial energy, use of biomass energy in most urban Year Consumption in PJ Consumption especially coal. cities has quickly declined over the IEA EDP-Asia IEA EDP-Asia years. However, based on an investiga- 1987 7,934 25% Fuelwood and crop stalks are the main tion conducted by the Ministry of 1990 7,845 22% types of biomass used in China. About Forestry in 1993 (Zhida Zhang et al, 1992 7,338 20% 50% of biomass energy is derived from 1996), urban fuelwood consumption 1993 7,772 7,361 31% 19% 1994 7,837 7,390 23% 18% wood. The fuelwood consumption represented 8.8% of the total fuelwood 1995 8,431 23% followed the same trend as biomass consumed. The figure varies from energy in total and similar explanations 56.7% to 1.7% among different The decline of biomass use could be can be applied. The share of fuelwood provinces. In Inner Mongolia and Jinlin related to two factors. The first is the in total biomass energy consumption province, urban fuelwood consumption Chinese National Improved Stove has also declined. However, this is accounted for more than half of the Programme, which started in the early determined by the shortage of fuelwood provincial total fuelwood consumption. In the 20 provinces investigated, nine Table 2. Fuelwood consumption in Table 4. Fuelwood Consumption in provinces showed that the urban China rural China fuelwood consumption presented more Share in Total Share in Total than 10% of the provincial total fuelwood Year Fuelwood Fuelwood Consumption in PJ Biomass Energy Consump- Year Rural Industrial Total consumption, while in another nine Consumption Consumption tion Households sector provinces, the shares were less than Other Other Other 1987 3,967 50% 12% CED CED CED 10%. Data from various sources 1990 3,907 50% 11% sources sources sources 1979 3,016 3,016 indicate the increasing use of biomass 1992 3,281 45% 9% fuel in the industrial sector. According 1994 3,290 45% 8% 1980 2,987 2,987 1985 2,813 2,813 to the above mentioned investigation, 1987 3,857 4,466 3,857 4,466 fuelwood consumption in the industrial 1990 3,799 3,799 sector accounted for 7.2% of the total Ms. Zheng Luo is working at the 1992 2,712 488 3,200 fuelwood consumption of the 20 RWEDP as a consultant 1993 3,045 467 3,512 provinces in 1993.

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 3 Biomass Energy Supply in China

Zheng Luo Table 5. Biomass energy supply in China

Biomass is the most widely accessible Crops Fuelwood Manure Total Year Physical Physical Physical energy source in the rural areas of amount In PJ amount In PJ amount In PJ In PJ China. Crops from various agricultural 1979 232 3,277 90 1,508 213 3,219 8,004 plants, and wood from forest and non- 1987 594 8,120 141 2,349 179 2,610 13,079 1993 143 2,364 forest land are the main types of biomass used in China. In 1987, the total amount of potential biomass 1993, of which timber forests had the targets have been set for the next energy was 13,079 PJ (table 5). The biggest share, approximately 39%, decade, of which some are listed as potential crop residues amounted to followed by fuelwood forests and “four- follows (Zhida Zhang et al, 1996): 590 million tons, i.e. 8,120 PJ, of which sides” trees accounting for 20.4% and 34% was used as fuel in rural 12.7% of the total, respectively. - Expanding the forest area by the households. A certain amount of these Because many timber forests, particu- year 2000 (the current total forest residues should be returned to the farm larly the natural ones, are located in area is 133.2 million ha): land in order to maintain the carbon remote areas with very poor transpor- expanding the timber forest area to balance and the ecosystem of the agri- tation facilities, it is not profitable to 99.9 million ha with a net growth of culture land. Since there are no data transport the fuelwood (dead branches, 11.9 million ha; and, available regarding the use of agricul- cutting residues, etc.) produced in these expanding the fuelwood forest area ture residues, it is difficult to estimate forests. According to estimates, this to 6 million ha with a net growth of the potential sustainable supply of crops inaccessible fuelwood accounts for 1.6 million ha. as an energy resource. It was estimated more than 50% of the fuelwood - By the year 2010, net growth of that, due to the limited land area and production from timber forests, which wood land will be 29 million ha. productivity of agricultural crops, there means out of 143 million tonnes of - Fuelwood production will have a net would be no large increase in the output fuelwood, only 115 million tonnes are growth of 29.9 million tonnes by the of agriculture residues. In general, actually available as fuelwood sources year 2000 and 43.5 million tonnes government research indicates that the annually (Zhida Zhang et al, 1996). by the year 2010, which sum up to use of agriculture residues should be 173.2 million tonnes and 216.6 mil- maintained at the present level or even Surveys on rural energy from the lion tonnes in total, respectively. cut down (Zhida Zhang et al, 1996). At Ministry of Forestry showed that the the same time, the utilisation of manure actual fuelwood consumption in 1993 The analysis of these programmes as fuel is rather underdeveloped and was 213.4 million tonnes, which has shows not only that the fuelwood supply has a large potential in husbandry greatly exceeded the sustainable and demand gap will decrease from 70 focused regions. From the 180 million supply as stated above. For many years, million to 60 million tonnes in the next tonnes per year of manure supply, less fuelwood supply has failed to meet the decade, but also that a gross profit of 3 than 1% is used to produce biogas or demand in China. Despite the country’s billion yuan/year and many ecological burned as fuel. five-year plans to increase annual and social benefits will be obtained. plantations, the fuelwood forest Based on the results of the Fourth plantation area has declined in recent Data sources for table 1-6: National Forestry Inventory Survey, the years and reached its lowest point with forest area in China is 133.7 million ha, only 150 thousand ha in 1995. Recently, of which fuelwood forests represent the Chinese government emphasised Daxiong Qiu et al, Planning and Imple- approximately 4.4 million ha (3.3%). Of that establishing fuelwood plantations mentation of Integrated Rural En- the fuelwood forest area, 92% is mainly is the most important strategy with an ergy Development,1991 located in 14 provinces /regions. In irreplaceable role in rural energy Feng Liu, Energy Use and Conserva- China, “fuelwood forest” is one of the 5 development. Thus, continuous efforts tion in China’s Residential and Com- types of forest officially classified in should be devoted to promote inte- mercial Sectors,1993 China (Huang Yi et al, 1998), but is not grated rural energy programmes and J. E. Sinton et al, China Energy the only source of fuelwood. Shown in plans to seek sustainable development Databook (CED) table 6, the theoretical fuelwood including environmental, economic and Zhida Zhang et al, Fuelwood Forest production was 143 million tonnes in social benefits. Various objectives and Development Strategy in China,1996 Table 6. Fuelwood yield in various forests in China (unit: million tonnnes) Practical Theoretical Timber Prote- Fuel- Special Non-timber Others Total total ction wood purpose Cash Bamboo Brush Sparse Four sides 143.2 115.2 55.9 3.8 29.1 0.7 10.9 2.6 10.8 10.6 18.3 0.5

page 4 Wood Energy News Classification of Fuelwood Forests in China

To guide the development of rural Tibet and Taiwan, are divided into 26 average fuelwood shortage per capita energy, a study on the “Classification regions, which are illustrated in the in the year 2000 will amount to more and Technical Policy of Fuelwood map. The main characteristics of each than 200kgce, the highest among the Forests in China” was launched in 1986. region are described in the table. four types. Thus, the regions of type I The study was carried out in 26 Thereafter, for the rational management have been given the highest priority for provinces (regions) and a number of of fuelwood forests, these regions are fuelwood forestry development. studies on fuelwood supply, utilisation grouped into 4 types according to the and consumption were conducted. One estimates and the characteristic value II. the regions in need of medium de- of the major outcomes was a classifi- of the insufficiency of fuelwood supply velopment of fuelwood forests cation of fuelwood forests. The main in each district: criteria for such a classification were: Shown in the rural energy structure, the I. the regions in need of emphatic percentage of fuelwood consumption a. the satisfactory level of energy development of woodfuel forests of these regions is lower than that of the b. the ratio of fuelwood resources to type I regions. In the regions II-4 and II- regional energy resources Fuelwood resources are rich in most of 23, coal is the major energy source, c. the ratio of fuelwood in total regional these regions and the natural conditions and in region II-14, dung provides more energy consumption are also suitable for many fuelwood than 60% of the energy consumed. d. the insufficiency of fuelwood supply species. However, the regions of this Despite the availability of various e.characteristics of regional re- type have a high demand for fuelwood energy sources and the relatively rich sources. and because of the difficulty in fuelwood supply in most of these transportation, the high population regions, the average shortage of Thus, China’s fuelwood forests, except density and the low stove efficiency, woodfuel will still be approximately 60 those in Beijing, Tianjing, Shanghai, fuelwood shortages are severe. The kgce per person. Thus woodfuel forests

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 5 are still an important factor for the accessibility to fuels higher on the IV. the regions of basic self-sufficiency regions’ overall energy development. energy ladder, the dependency on of fuelwood woodfuel will become less intensive. III. the regions in need of suppleme- Region III-1 hosts one of the largest In these regions, fuelwood supply is tary development of fuelwood forest areas in China. In regions III-6, 7 higher than fuelwood consumption. forests and 8, fuelwood resources account for There will be no shortage in the coming less than 10% of the total available years. Two regions (III-20 and III-12) in this energy resources. In general, the group are located along the east coast, shortage of fuelwood in the regions of This paper was summarised by RWEDP which has the fastest economic growth type III will be less than 30kgce per from Reseach on Forest Energy, in China. With their increasing person by the year 2000. Shangwu Gao and Wenyuan Ma, 1991

Fuelwood Forests Development in China

Fuelwood forest management has a reaching more than 300 thousand ha. b. Improvement of the forest structure long history in China. However, rural Rapid fuel-wood forest development and protection of forest resources and energy and fuelwood resources have was found in the provinces of vegetation: In most cases, broad-leaved been in short supply for several decades Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Guangdong, brush and tall tree species are chosen in the country. Since the implementation Henan, Beijing, Shaanxi, Gansu, Fujian, for fuelwood forest plantation. This not of the reform and opening policy, the Sichuan, and Zhejiang. only improves the forest structure, but Party’s Central Committee and the State also effectively restrains the occurrence Council have issued a series of Achievements and spread of insects and diseases instructions and policies to resolve the and fire risk. Increased forest quality fuel problems in urban and rural areas. a. Alleviation of the rural energy and protected the ground cover and It is stated that, “in areas with fuel fuelwood supply shortage: According maximised the multiple benefits of forest supply difficulties, fuelwood forest to official estimates, the annual biomass resources. Because of the use of development should be regarded as output of newly developed fuelwood fuelwood forests, the destruction of the first task of tree plantation”. To forests reached 20-25 million tonnes in other types of forest decreased and the implement such a policy, the Forestry 1990, about 11.4-14.3 million tce. pressure on forest resources has been Ministry of China included fuelwood Hence, the severe shortage of alleviated. This in turn effectively protec- forest development in the national fuelwood, specially in remote and poor ted the timber forests, the protective afforestation programme for the Sixth areas, has been greatly alleviated. forests and forests for other purposes. Five-Year Plan period. In the Seventh Five-Year Plan period, pilot projects of fuelwood forest development were Due to the use of the Chinese language and variations in translation, the implemented in 50 counties nationwide. forestry terms used may cause some confusion. Some explanations of the In the Eighth Five-Year Plan period, terms used in this Wood Energy News are given below: even though there was a budget shortage, 50 more counties were added According to the Forestry Law of China, promulgated in 1984, forests are to the project, bringing the total number classified, according to use and functions, into 5 types: of fuelwood forest development pilot 1. ecological protection forest; projects up to 100 countries covering 2. timber production forest; 29 provinces of the country. Thus, 3. non-timber forest, including bamboo forest, cash forest (the type of fuelwood forest development can be forest uses plant leaves, seeds, extracts, etc. as main products, and approximately divided into three usually has relatively high economic value. Thus, it is also called periods: starting in the Sixth Five-Year economic forest), four-side trees ( trees planted around the crop fields, Plan period, rapidly developing in the roads and houses), etc.; Seventh Five-Year Plan period, and 4. fuelwood forest, of which there are two types: Wood energy forest solidifying and improving in the Eighth (Xintan Lin) is defined as a plantation forest of selected fast- growing/high yielding tree species, under intensive management Five-Year Plan period. practice from the forestry establishment to harvest; Wood fuel forest means mainly local tree species traditionally used as fuelwood, growing According to official statistics, during mainly under natural conditions with little management practice. The 1981-1985, the accumulated fuelwood term fuelwood forest as used in this issue refers to both types; forest plantation area reached 5 million 5. forest for other specific uses. ha, with 8 provinces reaching 10-100 thousand ha, 14 provinces reaching 100-300 thousand ha, and 5 provinces

page 6 Wood Energy News c. Promotion of rational use of denuded ecological projects: Since 1978, China forest pilot site in Guangxi, the annually lands with poor conditions: Lands with has launched several protective forest net income of the traditional fuelwood poor conditions and infertile soil are not projects in regions where vegetation forest was 500 yuan/ha. Even with suitable for timber and cash forests, but has been seriously destroyed and with integrated management, this figure many are suitable for the growth of severe soil erosion and deteriorated would only reach 1300 yuan/ha. At the some fuelwood tree species. In China, ecological environments. Rural energy same time, 3000-4000/ha can be this has resulted in conservation of soil shortages and destructive forest cutting expected for timber forests, and as and water and the acceleration of the are, among others, very important high as 7500-15000 yuan/ha for cash process of “greening the land”. causes of these problems. Thus, forests. Generally, the ratio of net multiple forest types and tree species, annual income for fuelwood forests, d. Enhancement of integrated benefits including a certain amount of fuelwood timber forests and cash forests would in improving rural living conditions: From forests, were considered in the be 1:2.6:8.5, from which it can be seen the ecological point of view, the measure protective forest systems. As part of that fuelwood forests bring relatively of combining multiple species has been these projects subsidies were provided low financial benefits. This directly adopted in fuelwood forest plantations, to facilitate the establishment of affects the farmers’ fuelwood forest which forms a relatively steady eco- fuelwood forest plantations. development initiatives. system. Fuelwood forests have thick layers of fallen leaves covering the Application of various means according Lack of investment: In the Eighth Five- ground, which is good for soil to local conditions: Instead of simply Year Plan period, only 950 thousand conservation. As leguminous tree planting dedicated fuelwood forests as yuan was forthcoming from the central species were planted for fuelwood in in the past, other means have also government to support fuelwood forest many places, the quality of soil has been employed such as closing hillsides development. This is not much even been improved and fertilised. Regarding for afforestation, improving the forest when the local government supplement the economic benefit, the development quality, and changing the original is added on. Many counties are both of fuelwood forests in areas with poor purpose of the plantations, which makes poor and inadequate in fuelwood land conditions not only solves the them more suitable to local environ- supply. For instance in Guizhou fuelwood problem, but also brings about mental and economical conditions. Province, of the 47 counties suffering advances in agriculture, animal fuelwood supply shortage, 37 counties, husbandry, and supplementary industry Current Problems or 78.75%, are on the poor county list. for the rural economy. Some varieties of tree species such as locust, scabuck- The planned fuelwood forest land area Lack of awareness of characteristics thorn, Prunus armeniaca var. ansu declined in the Eighth Five-Year Plan and functions of fuelwood forests: It is Maxim, Chinese tamarisk, brush willow, period. In the Seventh Five-Year Plan generally believed that fuelwood forests shrub lespedeza, and eucalyptus, may period, the minimum annual plantation only provide fuelwood. The serve as honey sources, may be used of fuelwood forest was 340 thousand characteristics of and the ecological for eucalyptus oil extraction, for wicker ha and the maximum 392 thousand ha. and social benefits from fuelwood weaving, and for the manufacture of While in the first four years of the forests have not been fully recognised. wooden handles to increase local Eighth Five-Year Plan period, the Some people think that the present people’s incomes. maximum figure was 312 thousand ha energy consumption pattern in rural in 1991, this declined every year till the China is just like the situation in many Experiences figure was only 101 thousand ha in developing countries, and that the users 1994. Compared with the first four years will climb up the fuel ladder as in Full awareness and effective organisa- in the Seventh Five-Year Plan period, developed countries which depend on tion: There is considerable awareness the fuelwood forest plantation area oil, electricity and coal. Actually, it of the importance of fuelwood forest decreased 826 thousand ha, about should be realised that developing development as a basic strategy for 54.2%. The major reasons for this fuelwood forests is determined by the sustainable rural development. situation are considered to be the specific conditions of the country. China following: has a large population, a vast territory Establishment of forest models: During and a large number of rural areas with the process of development of fuelwood Poor economic benefit: With the reform still weak economic foundations. Coal, forests, many typical cases have been of the national economic system and oil and electricity resources are used to guide development efforts. The the transition to a market economy, unevenly distributed in the country and effective technical measures and mana- fuelwood forest development is facing the transportation system is not well gement experiences from these cases a new problem. Fuelwood forests could developed. So, it is not realistic to rely have laid a good foundation for fuelwood easily be ignored in a market economy only on fossil fuels. Some people think forest development in the country. because they have a much lower there will be fuelwood available if there financial benefit compared to timber are forests, no matter what type of Combination of fuelwood forest and cash forests. According to the forests there are. This also seriously development with key national results of an investigation of a fuelwood impedes the development of fuelwood

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 7 forests. When wood residues fail to vegetation, and cause soil erosion and This paper was summarised by RWEDP meet the demand, farmers will cut trees, environmental deterioration. from Fuelwood Development Strategy and destroy the forests and their in China, by Zhida Zhang et al, 1996.

Village Biomass Gas Supply System

Li Sun and Zhenzhao Gu fan. The gas holder functions as a and stalks in terms of their physical balance for the pulsation of properties. Two models of crop straw Several demonstration biomass gasifi- consumption and as a manostat with its gasification units named XFF-1000 cation systems were designed, built, pressure maintained at a specific value (energy capacity equal to 1000 MJ/h) tested and put into use in order to (2000 to 4000 Pa) to overcome the and XFF-2000 (2000 MJ/h) have been develop a new way of producing cooking delivery resistance of the network and developed. Each unit comprises a gas from crop straw and stalks for to provide a steady pressure for the downdraft gasifier, a set of gas cleaning villages. A type of crop straw gasification combustion of stoves. The gas from the equipment (cyclone, cooler, filter, etc.), unit composed of a down draft gasifier gas holder is sent into the network of and a fan. The gasifier is operated and gas cleaning equipment was also pipelines to be distributed to every under weak negative pressure, that is, developed. The gas produced from crop household for cooking. a suction operation with the fan placed straw and stalks was piped to each at the rear of the gasifier. The units farmer’s house by a distribution network Crop straw gasification unit produce a low-Btu product gas with the on a scale of 100 to 1000 households. tar and dust content below 100 mg / m3. Research, experiments and improve- The experimental data of the units System ments have been conducted to over- using four kinds of feed are shown in come the disadvantages of the straw tables 1 & 2. The village biomass gas supply system is shown in Figure 1. Biomass materials such as corn stalks and wheat straw Table 1. Main gas composition and low heat value with moisture content below 20% are, Feed Gas composition, % Low heat value after breaking the pellet at a length of CO O CO H CH 3 10 to 15 mm, fed into a downdraft 2 2 2 4 kJ / m gasifier by the screw feeder. The gas Corncob 12.5 1.4 22.5 12.3 2.32 5302.8 produced by the gasifier is filtered to Cotton straw 11.6 1.5 22.7 11.5 1.92 5585.2 remove the tar and ash dust by being Corn straw 13.0 1.65 21.4 12.2 1.87 5327.7 passed through a cyclone, cooler and Wheat straw 14.0 1.7 17.6 8.5 1.36 3663.5 filter, and its temperature drops to ambient from about 450°C. Afterwards Table 2. Properties of the nodel-XFF gasification units the gas is sent to the gas holder by a XFF-1000 XFF-2000 Gas output, m3 / h 200 400 Mr. Li Sun and Mr. Zhenzhao Gu, Gas low heat Value, KJ / m3 5200 5200 Energy Research Institute of Energy output, MJ / h 1000 2000 Shangdong Academy Science, Jinan, Conversion efficiency, % 73.92 73.10 China Demonstration systems Figure 1. The village biomass gas supplying system The first system supplying gas for 94 households was built in October 1994 in Huantai County, Shandong Province. Now over 70 demonstration systems have been built and put into use. Most of the systems are located in the northern provinces of China.

In general, an average family size in the rural area of Shandong Province is 3.82 persons. According to the data 1. screw feeder 2. gasifier 3. gas cleaner 4. fan 5. gas holder 6. gas users derived from the running and testing of

page 8 Wood Energy News the systems, each family consumes is composed of all kinds of agricultural economy and increases in farmers’ about 6 m3 of the gas with a low heat residues, especially the crop straws incomes, the living and housing value of 5.2 MJ/m3 per day. The and stalks, the so-called “soft firewood”. conditions in rural areas have efficiency of the gasifier is over 70%, Approximately 600 million tons of straws improved greatly. Getting rid of the and that of the gas stove is over 50%. and stalks are produced annually. At strenuous, time-consuming and So total energy efficiency of the each harvesting season, the farmers smoky cooking method traditionally demonstration system is over 35% when burn the excessive straws in the field used for many years is high on using the biomass gas as cooking fuel. directly. This not only wastes the re- farmers’ agendas. There are over 100 That means a family consumes only source but also leads to air pollution. In million villages in China. The 3kg of straw for one-day’s cooking. contrast to this, the supply of commercial renewability of biomass resources energy in rural areas such as liquefied and the strong desire of farmers to The development prospect gas is in short supply and expensive. improve their way of cooking indicate excellent prospects for this In China’s rural areas the largest As a consequence of the rapid biomass gasification technology. biomass resource available for energy development of China’s agricultural

Fuel-saving Stoves in China

Mengjie Wang and Yi Ding to rural energy construction by adopting dissemination of fuel-saving stoves. the following principle: ”To work State leaders have also given important Background according to local conditions; to speeches encouraging the protection supplement different kind of energy of forest resources and the The thousand-year-old tree exhumed with each other; to use an integrated dissemination of fuel-saving stoves. from the upper reaches of the Yellow energy system; to seek the maximum They have pointed out that: 1. Forest River demonstrates that the river did benefits”. Many kinds of technologies resources should be rationally exploited not contain the huge amount of sand in have been applied and many problems and strictly conserved. 2. An overall ancient times, as it contains today. The have been solved. Up to now, however, scientific plan should be applied in the Yangtze River, unfortunately, is turning rural people still face energy supply exploitation of forest resources. 3. yellow as a result of the deforestation in shortages. According to the 1992 Forest resources should be rigorously its upper reaches. The 1998 flood in statistics, the total energy consumption managed; unplanned logging should China was not only a natural disaster in the rural areas was 560 million tce, in be forbidden. 4. Saving should be but also a natural punishment for which 230 million tce was from such emphasised in wood utilisation and destroying the ecological environment. biomass energy resources as firewood dissemination of fuel-saving stoves Forest resources are a source of the and straw. It is obvious that wood energy should be stepped up. Under the wealth that nature endows to human still plays a major role in energy instructions of the central government, beings. However, unplanned logging consumption. the local governments at different levels and over-utilisation for fuel dramatically have actively implemented the fuel- diminish the resources and results in The Chinese government initiated its saving stoves program. disaster. rural energy program around 1980. At that time, equal attention was given to On the basis of the State Energy Saving In China, the development of fuel-saving exploitation and energy saving, with Law, the State Council issued the stoves plays an important role in the energy saving as the starting point. In Provisional Regulations on Energy rational exploitation and utilisation of rural areas, the dissemination of fuel- Saving in 1986 and an energy saving wood energy resources, and has made saving stoves was systematically program was included in the National a great contribution to the conservation carried out, including planning, Economic Development Plan. Relevant of forest resources.. administration, financing, manufactur- government departments provided ing technology and extension. Over the special funds which meant an Government Policy past four decades the State Council administrative and financial guarantee has issued numerous Orders and for the dissemination of fuel-saving In the rural areas of China, the shortage decisions which have significantly stoves. of fuelwood is serious. Since the 1980s, promoted the conservation of rural the government has paid much attention energy resources and the development Technical Process of the forestry industry. Moreover, a series of the State Council and Special administrative offices were set Mr. Mengjie Wang and Mr. Yi Ding, ministerial documents, has emphasised up at every level from the central Chinese Academy of Agriculture Engi- the significance of exploitation and government to county government to neering Research & Planning protection of forest resources and the manage the fuel-saving affairs. Even at

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 9 the village level, technical service commercialised. The performance of Dissemination of fuel-saving stoves in groups are normally established. the commercial fuel-saving stove is rural China (unit: million household) Technological exchange meetings on good, with a thermal efficiency of 25%- the dissemination of fuel-saving stoves 30%. The key technology for stove Year Incremental At the end were held at every level in the country. modification is the scientific design of of the year During the 5th conference of the Fifth the combustion chamber. The accesso- 1985 40.00 986 18.40 65.88 People’s Congress in 1982, the task of ries, such as the grate, door, chimney 1987 18.03 83.73 fuel-saving stoves dissemination was must be compatible with the design of 1988 17.49 99.16 explicitly put forward in the 6th National the combustion chamber, and rational 1989 17.00 114.00 Economic Development Plan, which heating of the cooker must also be 1990 17.18 128.90 aimed to disseminate such stoves to 25 considered. The goal of design is to 1991 15.10 138.50 million households during the five-year achieve the maximum comprehensive 1992 14.50 14900 plan period. By reaching the goal, 1/7 effectiveness. 1993 13.00 157.00 of the total rural households would be 1995 170.00 able to use fuel-saving stoves. In 1984, To meet the required stove quality, a 1997 180.00 a conference on the dissemination of quality guarantee system was estab- fuel-saving stoves in rural area was lished. The Ministry of Agriculture set held in Beijing, and the Premier attended up a national centre for quality super- By the end of 1997, there were 180 and gave a speech. The conference vision and testing of fuel-saving stoves, million rural households who were using summarised the experience drawn from the State Technology Supervision or had used fuel-saving stoves. The the 79 demonstration counties for Bureau issued the Test Standards and dissemination of fuel-saving stoves has dissemination of fuel-saving stoves that Test Methods, such as the national developed into a commercial venture. were established in 1983, and it was standard: GB4363-84 (GB: Chinese At present the dissemination of fuel- decided to add 100 demonstration National Standard) and the test me- saving stoves is focusing on remote counties per year. The national thods for thermal performance of house- and poor rural areas. conference on fuel saving experience hold firewood stoves: GB5186-85. The exchange was jointly held by the State test method for the thermal value of Because of the nationwide effort of Planning Commission, the Agriculture biomass fuel was implemented, replac- firewood saving and energy saving in Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture, ing the traditional “three-ten” method: rural areas, the shortage of forest the Ministry of Commerce, during which 10 jin (5 kg) of water heated by 10 liang resources for household energy high-efficiency fuel-saving stoves were (0.5 kg) of firewood for 10 minutes. consumption in rural areas was exhibited and tested. mitigated. Meanwhile, a large amount To assist the dissemination, technical of agricultural residues was saved, The government provided special funds training courses, itinerant technical which could lead to the problem to support and organise research services and itinerant inspections were of burning straw on the fields becom- institutes to design efficient and organised at state, province and county. ing very serious. China is now seeking applicable advanced fuel-saving To promote and educate on the scientific and rational means to stoves. The many colleges and dissemination of fuel-saving stoves, resolve the problem of agricultural research institutes, which participated exhibitions and appraisals of fuel- residues. We hope to carry out with the Chinese Academy of saving stoves were held, and extensive international cooperation in Agricultural Engineering as the major newspaper articles were published. this field. force, provided more than thirty types of fuel-saving stoves suitable for Achievements For many years, FAO, ESCAP, UNDP, different regions, different fuel types World Bank and many countries have and different social customs. The In the 6th National Economic Develop- had close cooperation with China. It is institutes compiled drawings and ment Plan, the state identified the goal clear that the international technical materials for stoves as tech- of disseminating of 25 million fuel- organisations and countries along with nical service. Besides, many fuel-saving saving stoves in 5 years. The accom- China will obtain significant benefits stove manufacturers were established panying table shows the healthy from the research on and the under the technological instruction of development of the dissemination. dissemination of fuel-saving stoves and the institutes. Thus, fuel-saving stove However, the situation of stove from the exploitation and utilisation of products were standardised and replacement is not acknowledged. biomass energy resources.

Gender and Wood Energy in Yunnan Province

In Yunnan Province, strategies and include wood/biomass energy at the assigned to engineering-based units, programmes on rural energy, which provincial and county level, have been which do not specialise on socio-cultural

page 10 Wood Energy News aspects. At the same time, extensive in rural energy development and gender many men go outside their villages for knowledge of ethnic minorities and the impact in energy transitions, etc. A field better paid work. Hence, besides all gender aspects of household energy is trip to Tuanji Township, Xishan District the house work, most farming activities available from systematic research. of Kunming was a welcome experience have also fallen upon women. Such knowledge would be most relevant for participants. The township was for rural energy strategies and “famous” for its poverty. Through It was because of the above circums- programmes. However, this source of planting trees and introducing 300 micro tances, and the willingness to improve expertise has not yet being fully tapped bio-gas plants, they not only their own lives and social positions, by the provincial energy authorities. rehabilitated the damaged ecosystem, women in these regions initiated various but also improved their energy situation actions and programmes in tree Kunming workshop and reduced the work load of women. plantation and energy utilisation.

As part of RWEDP’s effort to address Summary of some main points Means adopted for energy development gender issues and as a follow-up of the and achievements: a. establishment of Regional Expert Consultation on Wood energy and women: Traditional firewood forest; b. promotion of fuel “Gender and Wood Energy in Asia”, a energy, specially firewood, is the main saving stoves; c. promotion of the national workshop took place on 27-29 energy source in this part of the world. method of raising pigs with raw feed; d. April 1998. It was organised by the In some areas, people have to fully promotion of small and portable fire Institute of Ethnology of the Yunan depend on firewood every day for places; e. multiple use of heating; f. Academy of Social Sciences, with lighting, cooking, heating, etc. Thus, it utilisation of biogas; g. utilisation of financial and technical assistance from is no surprise that firewood is placed solar energy. RWEDP. The workshop focused on first on the household list. In Yunnan wood energy and gender issues in province alone, the annual consumption In most areas, the stove efficiency has Southwest China. The participants were of forest products is about 49 million improved from 10% to 25%, which delegates from different provinces and cubic meters, among which firewood reduces firewood consumption by 50%. regions and various ethnic groups, as for rural households accounts for more A five-person family could save 40 days well as local experts who have been than 54%. Firewood collection is mainly in firewood collection due to local forest working with energy programmes for done by women while men, in some recovery and reduced firewood years in Yunnan Province. Through cases, will contribute by cutting wood. demand. Besides the significant this workshop, RWEDP brought A man guiding a horse followed by a economic benefits, this has also brought relevant engineering and social science woman carrying firewood on her back tremendous social benefits to women. experts together, and explored their is a scene often seen in these areas. They are not only being released from interest in benefiting from each other’s With the population growth, the forest heavy work and gaining more free time, work and co-operating in wood energy resources are decreasing and women but also have contributed and realised development. are forced to spend more time and their political value in the development travel longer distance for gathering of their own society. There were 11 papers presented during firewood. Meanwhile, there are health the workshop regarding the general problems caused by low stove situation of wood energy in Southwest efficiency. Moreover, with the RWEDP China, minority women’s involvement development of a market economy,

Women in Energy Reform - A Midu County Case Study

The total land area of Midu county is flood in 1986 destroyed 51% of rice accounts for over 70% of the total about 1523 km sq. The valley area fields, and a great deal of infrastructure. amount of forest consumption in the accounts for 8.66%, and the remaining Direct loss amounted to 33.6 million county. The total consumption of 91.34% is mountainous area. 98% of yuan RMB and Midu county joined the firewood is about 423,400 tonnes/year. the total population, which was 295,095 forty counties classified as “poor”. This means that 7056 ha of forest is in 1995, live in rural areas, and agricul- burned each year which is five times ture production accounts for 93.9% of Deforestation is the main cause of the the area afforested each year in the total production value (1996). The eco- degradation of the ecological system. county. The county government’s system is suitable for agricultural produ- The forest cover in the early 1950s was policy is to recover the forest by ction in terms of climate, temperature, 51%. This reduced to 19.7% in 1978. closing it and banning any kind of forest moisture, light and soil fertility condition. The main causes of deforestation are use. However, the policy can not stop the conversion of forest land to the rural people, especially the poor, In the 1980s, natural disasters agricultural land, logging, and firewood using the forest for their livelihood frequently visited the county. A huge consumption. Firewood consumption purposes.

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 11 Women and energy resources which have not been 80% of households in the county. In the developed yet for household consump- following years, the MWF signed an In Midu, women are traditional house- tion. Ms. Hou and staff of MWF and agreement with the Environment wives. Women have to work longer and REO together with an experienced Protection and Energy Department of harder than men to fulfil all of their technician visited villages and set up a the Ministry of Agriculture to make the domestic responsibilities as well as to number of energy saving stoves for county a National Wood and Coal contribute to agricultural production. demonstration in the houses of village Energy Saving Pilot County. The Over-extracting wood fuel resources heads, the houses of women committee Agreement set high requirements and has resulted in harder and harder work members and some volunteer demon- standards for rural energy reform. for women. Women often have to travel stration households. Villager’s some 10-20 km to collect one bundle of assemblies and women’s group In 1994, the county witnessed rainfall firewood that can only meet the need of meetings were organised in each village greater than it experienced in 1986, but one or two days. Many girls have stop- to introduce the benefits of using energy no serious damages were reported. ped schooling to help their mothers co- saving stoves with practical The forestry survey showed that the llect fuel. The local stove is also called demonstrations. To access new energy forest cover reached 41% and the forest the ‘tiger stove’, which indicates that it technology, to change their traditional ecosystem was significantly improved. is not only always “hungrily” consuming life style and to be free from the drudgery The MWF has also realised that the firewood, but also consuming the time, of firewood collection have been multiple and sustainable use of various energy and health of the women. women’s wishes for a long time. The resources will be the basis of energy majority of village women therefore development in the future. After the After the great flood, the director of became actively involved in the energy forest is rehabilitated, the sustainable Midu Women’s Federation (MWF), Ms. reform program. By the end of the first use of wood fuel and other biomass Hou Zhaofang, decided to change the year, the MWF achieved great success: may replace some of the coal energy. fate of Midu women as well as the fate 70% of households in Mizhi district Biogas is also one of the best solutions of the forest. She made a request to the began to use energy saving stoves. At for rural households for many reasons. county government that the newly the same time a new method of pig Micro-hydropower will be developed. established county’s Rural Energy feeding was also introduced to villagers. Solar energy water heating devices will Office (REO) should be under the The old time-consuming method of be introduced to rural families. In 1995, MWF’s control and the MWF would cooking pig feed was changed to a no an agreement with provincial take the responsibility for the energy cooking or short time cooking. The government was signed to promote bio- reform programme. After her request improved stoves and new pig feeding gas in rural households. was approved, Ms. Hou considered the method reduced firewood consumption problems of Midu county in terms of of each household by about 50%. Gender impact three basic points: 1. Midu is an agricul- tural county, which depends on a sound After the first year’s success, in 1989, - Improving the working, cooking and ecological system. Therefore the forest the MWF decided to promote the energy health conditions of women must be rehabilitated. 2. Midu women saving stove on a county-wide scale. - Challenging traditional patriarchal make up half of the population and The MWF formulated policies and ideology and raising women’s social undertake 70% of the agricultural pro- planned a programme for the whole position duction tasks. As a main-force in econo- county’s energy reform. Several - Improving women’s environmental mic development they must change documents on promotion policies and awareness, technological skills and their traditional lifestyle and free them- regulations were issued. These resource utilisation selves from some of their domestic bur- documents also obtained the county - Changing the traditional gender divi- dens. 3. Midu is rich in coal resources, government’s approval and were sion of labour. Thus women can now which can be developed for local con- distributed as official government spend more time on productive work sumption. The coal energy resource documents to be implemented. Due to and income generation activities and energy efficient stove should be their previous success, MWF gained - Gaining women’s participation and employed along with the afforestation support and funds from various groups. empowering them in decision programmes to help the rehabilitation Within a year, the MWF teams visited making of the forests. 88 Administration Villages (sub- - Realising women’s significance in districts), covered about 600 villages, achieving economic and ecological The first thing Ms. Hou thought of was and held 358 training classes. 100,241 benefits for the whole society. to set up a pilot project with only 1500 people or 1/3 of the population, mostly yuan funding. The mountainous Mizhi women, participated in the training district was chosen as a pilot area courses. This is the first time in the This paper was summarised by RWEDP because it is an important water county’s history that so many people from Women in Energy Reform catchment area of a big reservoir which participated in such a project. By the Programme - A Midu County Case can irrigate 80% of the rice fields in the end of the second year, the energy Study, by Xiaogang Yu and Zhaofang county. Mizhi is also rich in coal saving stoves had been installed in Hou.

page 12 Wood Energy News Wood Energy Planning in China - A Case Study

Conrado S. Heruela of data needed for the case study; (2) model, particularly in the analysis processing and analysis of data using and projection of energy demand China is the first country in which the LEAP model; (3) application of the focusing on wood energy, the analy- RWEDP is assisting a multi-level case LEAP model to conduct wood energy sis of wood energy conversion and study on wood energy planning. The planning exercises and to analyse and transformation processes, and the case study for China includes a national- formulate programs, strategies and analysis and projection of wood and level study for the country, a provincial- policies for wood energy development; biomass energy supply. level study for Yunnan province and a and (4) identification of follow-up county-level study for Chengjiang activities to strengthen national capabi- China has accumulated substantial County of the province. At the national lities in wood energy planning, including information, obtained valuable level, the case study is looking into the building of institutional capacities. experiences and achieved significant integration of wood energy to national progress in rural energy planning. level rural energy planning exercises The case study started in February Despite this, the initial results of the being conducted by the Ministry of 1998 when a tutorial on the application case study indicate that appropriate Agriculture (MOA) through its Institute of LEAP was conducted for the case wood energy information to allow proper of Energy and Environmental Protection study team members. Since then the wood energy planning is still (IEEP). At the provincial level, the case study team, led by IEEP has: inadequate. As such, the case study on study is looking into the integration of wood energy planning is providing IEEP wood energy to provincial rural energy 1.established a technical network and key inputs on how wood energy planning exercises conducted by the working groups at the national, pro- planning can be further strengthened Provincial Rural Energy Office under vincial and county levels; as part of the country’s overall rural the supervision of IEEP. Finally, county- 2.conducted the collection and analy- energy planning process. level area-based wood energy planning sis of data on the supply and de- exercises are being conducted by the mand for wood energy using mainly The case study is targeted for Provincial Rural Energy Office in secondary data collection techniques completion by the middle of 1999. cooperation with the County-Level but also including selected primary Hopefully, the case study will provide Rural Energy Office and under the data collection methods (Data col- the formulation and implementation of technical guidance of IEEP. lection and analysis were done at a strategic program for the sustainable the national, provincial and county supply and use of wood energy in China, The activities of the case study can be levels); so as to contribute to fueling China’s divided into four overlapping phases 3.generated practical experiences in efforts towards development and the as follows: (1) collection and compilation the application of the LEAP planning modernization of its economy.

Wood Energy and the Global Environment in China

Zheng Luo Table 1. Estimated carbon dioxide emission in China, 1990-2015 (Unit: million tonnes of carbon) China doubled its energy consump- Year Coal Oil Natural gas China total World total tion during the period 1980-1994 (J.E. 1990 527 100 8 635 6165 1993 598 134 8 741 6071 Sinton et al, 1996). It is expected that 2005 957 256 30 1222 7854 with the current economic growth 2015 1400 354 46 1807 9503 energy consumption will continuously Source: DOE/EIA and OECD data tables, http://www.geocities.com/~combusem increase despite the improvement in energy efficiency. An increasing am- tion. This paper highlights the potential SO2. In China, the heavy reliance on ount of research has contributed to the of wood energy use in terms of CO2, coal and the low energy efficiency analysis of emissions from energy use SO2, etc. emission abatement in China, aggravate these emissions. It is in China, their environmental impacts, and aims to promote interest in further reported that in 1993 China’s CO2 and various projections for emission research and analysis of policy options. emission carried 741 million tonnes of reduction. However, few studies have carbon, approximately 12% of the world integrated wood energy, which Emissions from fossil fuels total. (EIA, 1993) The breakdown of represents about 8% of the country’s carbon emission, presented in table 1, total energy consumption and nearly Worldwide, fossil fuel are the main shows that 81% of the emission 20% of the total rural energy consump- source of emissions, such as CO2 and originated from coal while oil and natural

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 13 emission from woodfuels, a simplified carbon cycle of trees is illustrated in the accompanying figure. By their nature, trees absorb CO2 and store it as (CH2O)n. In its early life, a tree has greater capability to absorb CO2, which helps it to grow. For an adult tree, the absorption of carbon is roughly equal to the total release of carbon via respiration and residue decomposition. The eventual decomposition of tree residues emits not only CO2, but also other chemicals containing carbon, such as CH4.

When trees are used as fuel, the combustion produces carbon emissions, but as long as trees are planted or naturally reproduce at the same rate as they are burnt, the carbon level, in principle, is kept in balance assuming that combustion is complete. Incomplete combustion of woodfuel, like all other type of fuels, does not only result in emission of CO2, but also other gas represent 18% and 1% respectively. reducing these emissions, the use of GHGs, such as CH4, N2O, CO and Historical data, given by various fossil fuels still causes various other Non-Methane Hydrocarbons sources, indicate that CO2 emission problems, such as resource depletion (NMHC), which can not be absorbed by has increased by 67% since 1980. It is and air pollution. China’s coal and oil trees. If a wood stove with 90% expected that such emission will reserves are mostly concentrated in nominal combustion efficiency (30% of continuously increase, and by the year the northern part of the country. The overall efficiency) is used, about 2015 China will be responsible for 19% transportation of coal has heavily 450g carbon/kg of dry woodfuel is of the total CO2 emission in the world. occupied the railway system in China emitted as CO2 and 50 g of carbon is Fossil fuel use, especially coal, also and is demanding large investment in emitted as CH4, NMHC, etc (dry emits a large amount of SO2 and infrastructure to cope with the economic woodfuel mostly contains 50% particulates, which have been the major growth. carbon). CH4, NMHC, etc. have a much air pollutants and causes of various greater potential to contribute to diseases in China for decades. In 1993, Emissions from fuelwood global warming than CO2. Although the SO2 emission was 18 million tonnes, their warming effect will reduce which was an increase of about 13% Photosynthesis of trees is the most over time, the potential can still be compared to 1980 (J.E. Sinton et al, natural way to store solar energy, and significant even in 100 years. Thus, 1996). planting trees is one of the few truly when low efficiency stoves are used, effective ways of mitigating climate the non-CO2 emissions become the Although the current adoption of modern change, including the greenhouse main concern for global warming in the technologies has contributed greatly to effect. In order to analyse the GHG case of woodfuel. Reference data A - emission factors from IPCC CO2 CH4 CO Woodfuel 30,000 kg C/TJ 300 kg/TJ 5000 kg/TJ i.e. 233 kg C/TJ i.e. 2,333 (kg C/TJ) Coal 25,500 kg C/TJ 300 kg/TJ 2000 kg/TJ i.e. 233 kg C/TJ i.e. 933 (kg C/TJ)

Reference data B - emission factors from Zhang, Smith, et al, 1997 CO2 CH4 CO TNMHC Improved fire wood 446g C /kg dry fuel 2.6g C /kg dry fuel 30g C /kg dry fuel 5g C /kg dry fuel brick stove with a flue i.e. 30,000 kg C /TJ i.e. 173 kg C /TJ i.e. 2000 kg C /TJ i.e. 333 kg C /TJ Washed coal metal 624g C /kg dry fuel 10g C /kg dry fuel 37g C /kg dry fuel 2g C /kg dry fuel stove with a flue i.e. 30,400 kg C /TJ i.e. 490 kg C /TJ i.e. 1800 kg C /TJ i.e. 97 kg C /TJ

page 14 Wood Energy News selected for the analysis in this paper. was 9% of the year’s total emission. If Woodfuel and CO2 abatement Other general data used: the share of woodfuel is kept at 9% of • Net calorific values of hard coal for the total energy consumption in the The carbon cycle indicates that even if China: 20.5 TJ/ktonne year 2000, when the total energy fuelwood is harvested under • Net calorific values of wood: 15 TJ/ consumption is estimated to be sustainable conditions, woodfuel use ktonne 41,600PJ (3% annual increase from will still have a net warming effect due 33,800PJ in 1993, IEA, 1993-4), the to the low combustion efficiency of the The global warming potential (GWP) in avoided carbon emission will be 71 most widely used stoves in China. This comparison with CO2 in 20 years: million tonnes. (If the woodfuel share raises two main questions: Will 1 g C of CH4 = 22 g C of CO2 increases to 12%, the level of 1987, the woodfuel use actually benefit net carbon 1 g C of CO = 4.5 g C of CO2 avoided carbon emission will be 87 emission reduction? What is the saving 1 g C of TNMHC = 12 g C of CO2 million tonnes from woodfuel in the potential of fuelwood? There is not year 2000.) If 50% of China’s house- enough data to give a detailed analysis Thus, if woodfuel is used under holds coal use, i.e. 3200 PJ in 1993, will for China. From the available literature, sustainable conditions, and fugitive be replaced by woodfuel using the two data sources are used for the emissions from coal mining and stoves described in the analysis in the following analysis which aims to quantify production are not taken into account, year 2000, 54 million tonnes of carbon the answers to these questions. the emissions can be calculated as: emission can be avoided. for data A: The first data used are derived from net EMISSIONw, CO2 equivalent References: IPCC Guidelines for National Green- =15.6 tonne C/TJ house Gas Inventories, which presents net EMISSIONc, CO2 equivalent Biogeochemical Cycles, http://www.bsi. a systematic model to estimate all = 34.8 tonne C /TJ vt.edu/facultyfiles/biol_4684/Cycles/ energy related emissions. Because of Carbon Cycle, http://www.iitap.iastate. the variation in fuel emission factors for which means, 1 TJ of energy from edu/gcp/chem/carbon/images.html different end-uses, the analysis woodfuel emits 19 tonnes less carbon IPCC, Guidelines for National Green- presented will only focus on the then from coal in China. house Gas Inventories: Reference residential sector. Furthermore, the for data B: Manual, revised version 1996 calculation has been largely simplified net EMISSIONw, CO2 equivalent J. Zhang, Kirk R. Smith et al., Green- by using default emission factors and = 16.8 tonne C /TJ house Gases from Cookstoves in neglecting all other influences (and net EMISSIONc, CO2 equivalent Developing Countries: Preliminary assuming that fuelwood use is = 50.5 tonne C /TJ sustainable): Emission Factors, 1997 EMISSIONc = total consumption X which indicates that the woodfuel stove Jonathan E. Sinton et al. China Energy (c: coal) emission factor generates 34 tonnes less carbon Databook, 1996 EMISSIONw = total consumption X emission then the coal stove in Kirk R. Smith, Health, Energy, and (w: woodfuel) emission factor delivering 1 TJ of energy. Green-house-gas Impacts of Bio- - CO2 emission mass Combustion in Household In 1993, fuelwood consumption in Stoves, 1994 The other data used is based on a Chinese households was approximately UNEP, Green Energy - Biomass Fuels research report, Greenhouse Gases 3500 PJ, which is 9% of the total energy and the Environment, 1991 from Cookstoves in Developing Coun- consumption (Zhida Zhang, 1996). Xiaodong Wand and Kirk R. Smith, tries: Preliminary Emission Factors. According to the above analysis, and Near-term Health Benefits of Green- (Zhang, Smith, et al, 1997) Two type of assuming that woodfuel use is house Gas Reductions: A Proposed stoves, one using fuelwood and the sustainable in China, then 66 million Method for Assessment and Appli- other one using coal as fuel, were tonnes carbon has been avoided, which cation to China, 1998

Health and Wealth, No Regrets

Zheng Luo benefits of woodfuel have not yet been Woodfuel for millions Several countries have recognised the fully taken into account in policy making. importance of woodfuel and have By reviewing current research, this Woodfuel accounts for an average 30% integrated woodfuel into their energy paper aims to highlight the importance of the energy consumed in RWEDP planning. However, due to the lack of of woodfuel in sustainable energy member-countries (in China, woodfuel quantitative information, the actual development for policy makers and accounts for 20% of the rural energy economic, social and environmental planners. consumption), and the consumption is

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 15 Developing poor and arid land into green hills and clean water increasing by 1.6% per annum. Millions reducing indoor air pollution have been savings annually. It also has avoided of people in these countries depend on achieved. Furthermore, long-term health hazardous emissions from biomass and woodfuel for their daily benefits from woodfuel development woodfuel, e.g. Non-Methane Hydro- cooking and heating. have also been gradually realised. carbons (NMHC) and Respirable Suspended Particulates (RSP), by Woodfuel shortages are common and Woodfuel for health and saving 16% of rural household woodfuel are often. Degraded landscapes, and environment and coal use each year. This probably scenes like arid land with few trees, is the most effective way in the battle and women and children cooking their The smoke from fuel burning is the against indoor air pollution. meal in a smoky hut, etc. have often main source of indoor air pollution, been associated with woodfuel. which is an important risk factor for Besides NMHC and RSP, woodfuel However, the causes of poor and arid various respiratory diseases, cancer, combustion emits CO2, CH4 and CO. land are always more complicated than adverse pregnancy outcomes, etc. Not Although the mechanism is not yet fully just over-exploitation for fuelwood . even mentioning the human suffering, understood, it is believed that these it is very difficult to quantify the cost of emissions have a global warming effect In many of these areas, the only feasible these diseases, and even more difficult and consequently, among others, have and affordable fuel source is wood. to estimate the benefits which can be adverse health impact on human Sustainable management and gained from using improved stoves in beings. While reducing the indoor air utilisation of woodfuel resources has medical and economic terms. The pollutants by promoting improved proven to be the key. Programmes for Chinese programme on improved stoves, GHGs emissions can also be improved stoves and planting more cookstoves, which has reached about decreased (see Woodfuel and the trees have been undertaken, and great 150 million households, claimed 100 Global Environment in China). More- benefits in easing fuel shortages and million tonnes woodfuel equivalent over, woodfuel combustion, in compari- son with coal, has little SOx emission, which is one of the main causes of acid Improved Biomass Stoves (IBS): rain. By reducing acid rain, the benefits a story from Huangpi County, Hubei, China of woodfuel can be broadened in terms of ecological balance and biodiversity. Before: − Only 24,000 ha of trees left of 68,7000 ha planted because of Trees are essential in the natural biofuel gathering and poor management environment. They prevent soil erosion − Nicshu River accumulated much silt due to erosion, partly caused by farmers digging tree roots and cutting grass stubs. and floods, fertilise soil, etc. Forests − Because crop residues were burned, soil degraded such that play a crucial role in the carbon cycle 35% of the arable land had less than 2% organic matter in and planting trees is one of the effective 1983. ways against climate change. In the After (IBS started in 1983): every day life of millions of people in − Rate of ophthalmological and respiratory diseases reduced Asia, woodfuel is needed, no matter if by more than 30% and 20% respectively the tree is replanted or not. Thus, forest − County forest cover increased from 14.7% to 17.6% plantation and utilisation will not only − Average organic content of soil increased by 1.16% provide fuel, but also improve an arid − Saved crop residues used to create 100,000 yuan of woven landscape. products in 103 households − Saved crop residues used to start mushroom production and Woodfuel for wealth increase value in other agricultural products. Part of the "courtyard economy" - K. Smith, et. al , 1993 It has been wrongly said that woodfuel has no value and thus no business. In

page 16 Wood Energy News fact the total value of woodfuel in home, thus people will have a better References: RWEDP countries amounts to US$30 living environment. By planting trees, billion per annum. Numerous people the land becomes greener and richer, Kirk R. Smith et al., One Hundred Mil- make their living out of woodfuel. Even which probably is the greatest wealth. lion Improved Cookstoves in China: more people in small businesses and How Was It Done? 1993 farms depend on wood as a fuel for From the facts stated above, it is obvious Peishen He et al., Women and Rural their business. For them, woodfuel that woodfuel development will not Energy, 1997 brings income and wealth. only benefit the energy and forestry RWEDP, Field Document 50, 1997 sectors, but also play an important RWEDP, Wood Energy News Vol. 11 Through agroforestry, energy and role in health, the environment and No. 3 - Wood Energy and Environ- agriculture can be integrated. In China, overall sustainable development. This ment, 1996 this has proved to be a fruitful approach implies that, for example, policies on RWEDP, Wood Energy News Vol. 12 which provides not only local energy health improvement can adopt stove No. 1 - Wood Energy, Women and but also an increased agricultural programmes as one of the measures Health, 1997 harvest. People need not to go miles against indoor air pollution. As RWEDP, Wood Energy News Vol. 13 away to collect fuelwood, so time can mentioned before, there is not enough No. 1 - The People’s Fuel, 1996 be saved and heavy work can be data to quantify the benefits from UNEP, Green Energy - Biomass Fuels avoided, specially for women. They woodfuel, as many social and and the Environment, 1991 can now spend more time working in environmental benefits are difficult to Xiaodong Wand and Kirk R. Smith, the field and producing local handcrafts value. However, studies and research Near-term Health Benefits of Green- for sale, and some can even find jobs in have convincingly shown that house Gas Reductions: A Proposed the local factories. As a result family sustainable woodfuel development is Method for Assessment and Appli- incomes can be increased. economic, and in the long-term cation to China, 1998 significantly contributes to the well- By improving stove efficiency, being of people and nature, which will Zhida Zhang et al., Fuel Forestry De- unpleasant smoke is reduced in the be valued for generations. velopment Strategy in China, 1996

Integrated Rural Energy Development at County Level in China

Xiangjun Yao The aims of Integrated rural energy whole county to achieve the harmo- China has the largest population in the development at county level are to nious development of economy, world. More than 917 million people comprehensively develop various environment and society. The planning live in 230 million households in rural energy resources available locally and and implementation of IRED at county areas, which accounts for 76.2% of the to solve the energy problem in the level is based on an evaluation of total national population. Therefore, Figure 1. Rural energy development structure rural energy development impacts not only the development of the rural Local social development target economy and the improvement of rural people’s life, but also the national macro Integrated development target economic development. In order to alleviate the energy supply shortage, Integrated planning and project selection to improve energy use efficiency in rural areas, and to reduce the environ- mental impact of excessive energy Energy management Energy development Energy conservation Industry development consumption, a “Hundred County” Integrated Rural Energy Development Program (IRED) was started in the early Biomass Solar Wi n d Hydro Geoth. Other Electri. Coal Oil fuelwood Wa t e r 80’s and was extended rapidly to cover energy energy energy energy energy energy energy saving saving saving saving most of the nation in the early 90’s. Up till now, over 300 counties have been involved in the program.

Ms. Xiangjun Yao, Institute of Energy Increased energy output, advanced utilization efficiency and Environment Protection Chinese

Academy of Agriculture Engineering Increase valid energy output Beijing, China

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 17 Table 1. Changes of rural energy consumption (Unit: million TCE)

Year Sector Fuelwood Straw Coal Oil product Electricity Total Total 103.77 113.69 58.15 14.27 16.58 306.46 1979 Household 103.77 113.69 32.58 1.51 3.10 254.65 Production 25.57 12.76 13.48 51.81 Total 115.70 150.92 252.96 42.21 85.62 647.41 1995 Household 100.13 150.92 86.11 2.56 41.92 381.64 Production 15.57 166.85 39.65 43.70 265.77 technology, economy, environment, In addition, the structure of rural energy operation will show a prospective way and social benefits to select energy consumption has been shifted from a for rural energy development in China resources, varieties, and techniques; heavy dependence on traditional when facing new challenges of rapid and then choosing the best technology energy resources such as fuelwood rural economic development and a assembly to form an optimised and crop residue to high-grade energy growing demand for high grade energy development scenario. Figure 1 shows resources like electricity and gas, even resources. the technological structure of IRED. though the total amount of biomass IRED pays attention not only to consumed has kept stable over almost Meanwhile, biogas technologies have renewable energy development but also the last twenty years. Figure 2 and been further extended. In 1995, there to energy conservation; not only to figure 3 shows the shift of rural energy were 5.7 million households using system management but also to market consumption structure from 1979 to biogas in rural China, producing 1.47 fostering; not only to a single technology 1995. billion cubic meter of biogas; more than application but also to an array of 600 large and medium scale biogas technologies. Its objective stresses both The IRED program has many different plants and 540 intensive biogas stations an increased effective energy supply features due to its nationwide provided biogas for 840,000 and improved sustainable capability distribution of projects. One of its most households. Comprehensive utilisation development. special characteristics is the popular of digested liquid and solid residues dissemination of efficient stoves. By from biogas plants promotes the local In the last 15 years, through the “one the end of 1995, efficient fuelwood/coal agricultural production. For example, hundred county” IRED Program and stoves had been disseminated to 172 by adopting a rural energy ecological nationwide expansion of renewable million households, over 70% of the model which consists of a family size energy exploitation and commercial total rural households. Their benefits in biogas digester, one pigpen, and one energy conservation projects, the terms of energy saving, pollution 1-ha. greenhouse, and one toilet in one imbalance between energy supply and reduction, and health improvement of system, each household can get an demand has been greatly alleviated. rural residents, especially the women extra 4,000 RMB yuan in a year. Rural energy development has in households have been significant promoted the development of agricul- and easily observed. For rural In addition, the establishment of tural production and the rural economy. industries, technologies like efficient fuelwood forests has been dramatic. In The rational use of various energy tea stoves, tobacco-drying houses, and the last 13 years, China planted 4.72 resources also improves the ecological brick kilns are popularly disseminated million ha of fuel forest, and the total environment. The annual rural energy as well. In addition, some new techni- area of fuelwood forest increased to exploitation and conservation has ques such as a village-scale centralised 5.40 million ha. The plantation and reached over 80 million tce. The total gas supply system from the conversion protection of forest resources has been energy consumption in rural areas of crop residues have been put into use stressed throughout the country, increased from 300 million tce in 1979 after scientific research in the especially after the recent terrible to 650 million tce in 1995 (see Table 1). laboratory. Their successful commercial flooding which occurred along the Yangtze River and in Northern China in the past summer, Figure 2. Energy consumption Figure 3. Energy consumption structure in 1979 structure in 1995 The experience shows that IRED is an effective and environmental friendly Oil product Oil product Electricity Coal 5% Electricity way of increasing the rural energy 19% 7% 13% 5% Fuelwood supply in developing countries like 18% China. The Chinese government will continue to allocate its efforts to IRED, for it benefits not only the huge rural population in China, but also Fuelwood Coal Straw 34% Straw the whole nation as well as the global 37% 39% 23% environment.

page 18 Wood Energy News Wood Energy in Forestry Education in China

In June, 1998, RWEDP organised a tions. There are 11 forestry universities/ Based on the current situation, a few expert consultation on the “Integration colleges, 22 agricultural universities/ suggestions were given in the report: of Wood Energy into the Training colleges that possess forestry depart- Curricula of Forestry Education ments/faculties, and 179 forestry techni- 1.Include Management and Utilization Institutions”. This consultation was the cal schools including adult education of Wood fuel Forest as a prerequi- first of its kind in Asia designed and training. site course in the forestry education exclusively for addressing the training curricula at bachelor level and higher; needs of the wood energy sector. The major subjects in forestry and agri- 2.Introduce a whole chapter covering Experts from RWEDP member cultural specialities that cover aspects the major aspects of wood energy in countries reviewed the extent of the of wood energy are summarised in the silviculture at certificate educational coverage of wood energy aspects table below, which also shows the level and lower; currently addressed in the region and related wood energy topics not covered 3.Reorganize and compile new mate- discussed the potential of integrating in China’s current education system. rials for short-period training pro- these aspects into the formal forestry grams as well as for adult education; education curricula. Mr. Wu Xiaofu In both forestry and agriculture institu- 4.Promote the transformation of know- from the Central South Forestry tions there is no specific course dealing ledge and techniques on production University in Zhuzhou, China attended with wood energy as an integrated sub- and utilization of wood energy in the consultation and presented the ject and as a consequence the limited rural areas. situation in China as well as some existing knowledge is scattered. More- suggestions for improvement. A over, the existing knowledge concern- This paper was summarised by RWEDP summary based on the country report ing this subject is insufficient and from the country report on China, by on China is presented in this article. somewhat out-of-date. There are almost Huang Yi and Xiaofu Wu, presented at no training programs regularly designed the Expert Consultation on the In China, the curricula covering topics for local workers and farmers and very Integration of Wood Energy into the of wood energy are mainly included in few popular reading materials concern- Training Curricula of Forestry Education either forestry or agriculture institu- ing wood energy issues are available. Institutions.

Current situation Main topics not covered Curricula subject Wood energy related issues WE Forestry Silviculture - production and management of - Wood waste and by-products resources forests, including fuelwood forest; from forest industries; - afforestation species, including - Recovered wood from old selection of fuelwood species; construction; - forest land division - Drift wood and others. Forestry economic and - WE forest distribution management Forestry general sys- - fire damp tem and engineering - community forest Agriculture Agroforestry - multiple purpose trees in farming systems Agroecology - role of WE forest WE flow Forestry Forestry utilisation - charcoal making - fuelwood harvesting/ collecting Microbiology - methane generation and preparation/ bundling; Agriculture Application of - fire dump pool - transportation /distribution/ agriculture technique - proper utilisation of biogas marketing; Other WE issues not covered WE planning: WE conversion/utilisation: WE and environment: - data collection and analysis - traditional applications/ - green house gas - Sectoral WE demand technologies; - employment, poverty, etc.; - assessment of WE resource/ - charcoal end-use technologies; - soil/water conservation; supply potential - briquetting/densification of - impact on gender and health - emerging trend in WE con- loose biomass residues; sumption and transformation - modern applications gasification, co- generation, dendro-thermal power.

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 19 Publication Review

Fuel Forestry Development For many years women have been Woodfuel Resources Strategy in China contributing to fuel forest establishment, Management in Kumpur, Nepal: improved stove promotion, biogas A Gender Perspective China’s fuel forest plantation development, etc. often unacknowle- programme has made significant dged and unrecognised. This book fully Biomass is the main source of energy achievements in the last few decades. unveils and recognises the importance in rural households of Nepal where According to official statistics, from of women in rural development woodfuel forms a major part. But in 1981-1995 the fuel forest plantations broader perspective, energy policy and have accumulated to a million ha. planning has mostly focused on the However woodfuel supply can still not development of commercial fuels that meet the demand. In recent years, fuel hardly cater to the needs of rural people. forest land has increased more slowly Consequently, gender aspects of due to the low economic benefits household energy management have derived from woodfuel. Based on the received little attention in energy fuelwood supply situation and the development. country’s rural energy development policy, a new Forest Energy Project The primary role of women in fuelwood was proposed, with the target of 18 collection, carrying, processing and uti- million ha of fuel forest plantations in Author: Peikun He et al. lisation is evident in most of the deve- about 20 years (starting from 1996). ISBN7-5416-0953-6/Z 163 loping countries. In the case of Nepal, With the aim to contribute to this project, for instance, it is girls and women who this book presents data, methodologies, Notes on Fireplace Culture together collect 84 per cent of woodfuel detailed analysis and suggestions for used for household consumption. the development of fuel forests in China. A fireplace centred life style can be seen in many cultures and countries. In This study, conducted in Kumpur Village The authors first present the historical China, especially among the South- Development Committee of Dhading and the current situation regarding west ethnic groups, this life style has District in the central hilly region of woodfuel use in China, and then argue been maintained and gradually fostered Nepal, revealed the fact of women’s the necessity of and potential for fuel to become a so-called Fireplace Culture prime involvement (exclusively 64.7 per forest plantations and the strategies for which is rich in content and fascinating cent) in woodfuel collection and their development. In the second part to see. transport. In Kumpur, forests are the of this book, detailed information and major source of woodfuel and 97 per discussions are given on 4 major regions Based on many studies of the life and cent of households use woodfuel mainly with respect to the economic and customs of many ethnic groups, mainly for cooking and heating purposes (the ecological benefits of fuel forests. in Yunan province, the authors of this remaining three per cent use kerosene book present a detailed analysis of the and biogas in addition to woodfuel). This book was written in Chinese important position and symbolic The massive deforestation in the area published by the Forestry Press of functions of the fireplace in the social over the last decade has had a deep China. RWEDP has translated it into and religious life of these ethnic groups. impact on the lives of women. It has English, and a limited number of copies The book is the first of its kind to study increased their drudgery in terms of are available in due course. the secret fireplace culture which has time and labour inputs to procure hitherto remained unknown to most of woodfuel. Although, the community Author: Zhida Zhang et al the world. forestry program has moved the ISBN7-5038-1766-6/S 1020 conservation of forests into the hands of local communities, it has not been Women and Rural Energy very effective, for control still rests with the men in users group committees. With the financial assistance of the Women face several sociocultural Ford Foundation of the USA, a study of constraints and are less mobile and “the Status and Role of Women in the have little time off from household Rural Energy Development in Yunan responsibilities. The undervaluation of Province” was conducted. During the women’s opinions and their lower social two years research period, a large position has resulted in the lower rate amount of information and data was Author: Fuquan Yang & Xiaoyun of women’s participation in decision collected through interviews, field Zheng making. Thus, women’s concerns are investigations and literature studies. ISBN7-222-00870-5/G 80 rarely heard, while they continue to

page 20 Wood Energy News have little access to forest products Images of Wood and Biomass and to better quality wood. Energy in Industries in Thailand

The burden of accessing woodfuel has In Thailand as in other countries, had a direct bearing on women’s health. numerous industries use wood or other Major causes of concern among women biomass as their main fuel. Many of include prolapse of the uterus and these industries are small scale, are chronic bronchitis. A possible relation located in rural or urban environments, has been seen between uterus prolapse and employ traditional production and carrying woodfuel. 23 per cent of processes. Some of these industries women in the study noted prolapse of avail of modern technology to make the uterus a few days after delivery, efficient use of wood and biomass fuels when they resumed the usual work of Author: REWDP (FD 52) in a local, cost-effective way. carrying fuelwood without proper rest. that have agreed to specific greenhouse Some years ago, Thailand, within the Exposure to woodfuel smoke led to gas emission limits will be eligible to framework of the Thai Forestry Sector chronic bronchitis among some of the receive credit for certain domestic fores- Masterplan, implemented a nationwide women studied. Women’s longer expo- try and land-use activities that increase survey of rural industrial wood sure to the smoke in ill-ventilated the storage of carbon in sinks. More- consumption. This generated a wealth kitchens and the use of inferior wood over, under the Kyoto Protocol, coun- of data on types and characteristics of were found to be factors in the disease. tries will be able to earn emission reduc- industries utilising fuelwood. As this The crude 8 per cent prevalence of tion credits by carrying out collaborative type of information will be of interest to disease with increasing prevalence in carbon-storage activities in other many people, RWEDP in close co- relation to exposure hours per day has countries. These credits, in turn, can operation with staff from the Royal indicated women’s high vulnerability to be used to offset greenhouse gas emi- Forest Department decided to compile respiratory diseases. ssions in their home countries to par- the information in the form of a photo- tially meet emission reduction commi- illustrated publication. This publication The situation calls for including a gender tments. In this report carbon offset pro- gives an overview of the main wood/ dimension in national energy policy, ject activities are referred to as certified biomass-fuel based industries in sustainable management of the wood- Emission Reduction Credits (ERC). Thailand, such as agro-processing, fuel resources, finding alternative fuels food-processing, metal processing, and technological interventions whilst Numerous issues related to the new forest products, mineral based considering the sociocultural and international negotiations and industries and textile. It also provides economic factors related to adoption of agreements remain unclear, however. some information about production, the technology. Many questions remain over the technologies, fuel characteristics and economics, politics, and mechanisms enter-preneurial aspects. This type of Author: Suman Subba, AIT under which the new agreements will information will be relevant for be implemented. Nonetheless, it is strategies, policies and programmes Carbon Dioxide Offset apparent that forestry could play a not only in the energy and forestry Investment in the Asia-Pacific significant role in the global strategy for sectors, but also with respect to Forestry Sector: Opportunities mitigating the threat of global climate industrial development, employment and Constraints change. This report discusses oppor- generation, technology development, tunities and constraints in forest sector regional development, and others. Growing concern about the effects of ERC projects in the Asia-Pacific Region. climate change has led to increasing research, policy initiatives, and the This report, a joint publication of development of innovative programs RWEDP and FAO's Regional Office for and projects around the world designed Asia and the Pacific, discusses wood to reduce human-induced greenhouse energy development as one of the gas (GHG) emissions (i.e., CO2, CH4, options for ERCs. In fact, the global N2O and chlorofluorocarbons [CFCs]). climate will benefit twice if the investments are directed to plantations Storing carbon in trees and forests is that supply wood energy. First, by initial one option for offsetting the gases carbon sequestration when the trees released by fossil fuel burning, and for are growing, and second, by avoiding mitigating the potential effects of global emissions when the trees are used as warming. Under the Kyoto Protocol a source of wood energy on a negotiated in December 1997, recogni- sustainable basis. The second effect tion is given to this option. Countries reflects common practice in Asia. Author: RWEDP (FD 53)

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 21 News and Notes

National Training Course on the the provision of information, research The national seminar-workshops aim Integration of Woodfuel and development support, etc. to introduce participants working in Production and Marketing, areas related to wood energy planning Hyderabad, Pakistan, 20-22 RWEDP Expert Consultation on to wood energy data collection and October 1998 “Sustainable Wood |Energy analysis, and wood energy planning. Programmes in Asia: Policy and The LEAP tutorials are aimed towards The training course was sponsored by Institutional Issues”, Hua Hin, a smaller group of local experts with RWEDP at the special request of the Thailand, 29-31 July 1998. whom RWEDP plans to work with in Secretary, Forest & Wildlife Depart- conducting of case studies and ment, Government of Sindh Pakistan. Sustainability of wood energy has preparing the national guidebooks. It was a second national follow-up acti- essential links with various policy areas, RWEDP ‘s aim is to help the vity of the sub-regional training work- e.g. energy, forestry, agriculture, participating local experts profoundly shop, “Integrating Woodfuel Production environment, economics, trade, labour, develop their capacities in wood energy into the Implementation of Agriculture, health, education, gender and overall data and planning. RWEDP proposes Forestry and Rural Extension Programs development. Wood energy is also sub- to conduct case studies at three levels: in South Asia”, which was held in ject to routine activities in government national level, provincial/state level, and October 1995, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. sectors like interior, finance, statistics county/district level. and others. It is a tremendous task to The course was attended by 30 senior review and analyse the numerous Up till now, seven national courses and middle level participants from relevant inter-actions in different have been completed in the Philippines, Sindh, mostly from forestry and wood member countries. RWEDP made an China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, energy related disciplines. The advisor effort through this Expert Consultation, Laos and Cambodia. LEAP tutorials to the Chief Minister of Sindh jointly with experts and delegates from and follow-up case studies are now inaugurated the course which the obvious sectors, to identify and clarify being initiated in these countries. Secretary and other higher dignitaries the main linkages. attended. Altogether 19 technical National Workshop on Woodfuel papers covering different aspects of Overall the experts took the view that Trade, Dhulikhel, Nepal, 25-28 wood energy in Sindh and Pakistan wood energy is of significant social, August were presented. economic and environmental impor- tance in Asia, and that the benefits can The workshop was sponsored by The field visit part of the course covered and should be further enhanced by RWEDP and hosted jointly by the the production, marketing and utilization dedicated efforts. Such efforts are to be Department of Forests (FD) and the of woodfuel in Sindh. Plantations of supported by measures in related policy Water and Energy Commission Acacia nilotica under the traditional areas. Secretariat (WECS), Nepal. The Hurry system and Eucalyptus workshop was designed to bring camaldulensis in blocks and linear rows LEAP Training and Wood Energy together key actors in the area of in private lands were observed. And to Planning Case Studies woodfuel production and trade and to familiarise participants with the local discuss the prevailing problems of system of woodfuel procurement, In the remaining years of RWEDP, the commercial woodfuel flows. It was processing and trade two woodfuel thrust of the project is to conduct more hoped to identify measures to promote depots were visited. national capacity building activities for private and community participation in wood energy data and planning. The non-forest land based wood energy The national training course was strategy to accomplish this is to conduct development. The opening session of designed to address the prevailing a series of training activities in the the workshop was attended and issues of woodfuel production and member countries that include the addressed by many high dignitaries, marketing in Sindh. Recommendations following: including the Mayor of Dhulikhel Town, made by the participants are expected Secretary of Forest and Soil to enhance further production and · a national seminar-workshop on Conservation, FAO Representative in marketing in the coming years. The wood energy planning; Nepal, Chief Conservator of Forests, recommendations, inter alia, suggest · a tutorial on the LEAP application and other senior officers from the central that the government pursue the Social for energy modelling studies; and local agencies. Forestry Development Programme of · an on-the-job case study of wood Sindh for the sustainable development energy planning; and The workshop recognised Nepal’s of wood energy. They call for the · the preparation of a national guide- heavy reliance on traditional fuels for simplification of rules and regulations, book on wood energy planning. energy and endorsed the view that its

page 22 Wood Energy News importance is not expected to decline Nepal, it has enhanced the participants’ Centre for Energy and within the foreseeable future. One point knowledge of the woodfuel supply Environment (CEE) clearly stated/raised in the work- system and the issues of production, shop was that the country’s diverse distribution and marketing, from both The CEE was established in December topography and limited infrastructure, private and public supply sources. The 1997 under His Majesty’s Government its differential accessibility and workshop successfully conveyed the of Nepal as an NGO. The main objective affordability of alternative fuels all message to participants that of this centre is to assist the rural people determine the pattern of the local level sustainable production and open trade to uplift their socio-economic status energy mix. in woodfuel could contribute through initiating community actions significantly to socio-economic for productive utilisation of local skills Since the present workshop was the development and should be supported and resources. first national level activity of RWEDP in by the relevant sectors in Nepal.

Events

Event, description (info) Venue, date Green Power ‘99 - An international Conference Cum Exibition on Investment Opportu- New Delhi, India. nities in Renewables (CIITRFD) 15-16 Febuary,1999

World Renewable Energy Congres 1999 (UKM) Kuala Lumpur, Malay- sia. 7-11 June, 1999

Training Programme for Karnataka State Forestry Offices on Wood Fuel Production & TERI Board Room, Utilisation (TERI) New Delhi, India. 5-9 January, 1999 This training course is sponsored by Karnataka State Forest Department.

CEE P.O Box 3628, Tripureswar, Kathmandu, Nepal. ( +977-1-256819; 2 +977-1257922; :[email protected] CIITRFD Ms. Shefail CHatuvedi Mande, Deputy Director, Confederation of India Industry Trade Fair Division, Gate No. 31Noryh \block, J. L. N. Stadium, New Delhi-110 003, India. 2 +91-11-462627; 4647844. :shefail@ sai.cii.ernet.in. UKM Prof. Mohd. Yusof Hj. Othman, Conference Scretary, Deputy Dean, Department of Physics, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. TERI Dr. SP Banerjee, TERI Board Room, Tata Energy Research Institute, Darbari Seth Block, Habitat Place, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 11, 0003 INDIA. :benerjee@ teri.res.in.

CD-ROM from RWEDP

RWEDP is preparing a CD-ROM, which will contain the same information as the RWEDP web site. In this way the information on the RWEDP web site will also be available to those who don’t have access to the Internet (or have difficulties in gaining access to it).

The RWEDP web site has been operational since March 1998 and is well appreciated by users. It contains extensive information about various issues in the field of wood energy. Apart from this a selection of RWEDP publications as well as all the newsletters can be viewed.

For using the CD-ROM one needs a suitable computer system. The system requirements are a computer system with a 80486 SX processor or higher, and a Windows NT, Windows 95 or higher operating system and a CD-ROM drive. If you have any questions about these system requirements you can contact RWEDP.

The first RWEDP CD-ROM will be released around April 1999. You can request the RWEDP CD-ROM by contacting RWEDP (address on page 2).

Vol. 13 No. 3, December 1998 page 23