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

Charlie Shackleton (), Gisele Sinasson, Opeyemi Adeyemi and Vusumzi Martins
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Charlie Shackleton: Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
Gisele Sinasson: Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
Opeyemi Adeyemi: Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
Vusumzi Martins: Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-14

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

Keywords: biomass; fuelwood; policy; poverty; rural; South Africa; urban (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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