Environmental Burden of Traditional Bioenergy Use

Posted: 11 Nov 2015

See all articles by Omar R. Masera

Omar R. Masera

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Institute for Ecosystems Research and Sustainability

Robert Bailis

Yale University - School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Rudi Drigo

Independent

Adrian Ghilardi

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Environmental Geography Research Center; National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia

Ilse Ruiz-Mercado

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Institute for Ecosystems Research and Sustainability

Date Written: November 2015

Abstract

Approximately 40% of the global population relies on traditional bioenergy, accounting for 9% of global energy use and 55% of global wood harvest. However, knowledge about the environmental impacts of traditional bioenergy is fragmented. This review addresses several persistent questions and summarizes recent research on land cover change (LCC) and pollution emissions resulting from traditional bioenergy use. We also review recent studies analyzing transitions from traditional bioenergy to cleaner stoves and fuels. Between 27 and 34% of the wood fuel harvest in 2009 was unsustainable, with large geographical variations. Almost 300 million rural people live in wood fuel “hotspots,” concentrated in South Asia and East Africa, creating risks of wood-fuel-driven degradation. Different fuels and stoves show variation in climate-forcing emissions. Many, but not all, nontraditional stoves result in lower emissions than traditional models. Traditional bioenergy makes substantial contributions to anthropogenic black carbon (BC) emissions (18–30%) and small contributions to total anthropogenic climate impacts (2–8%). Transitions from traditional fuels and devices have proven difficult. Stacking, i.e., the use of multiple devices and fuels to satisfy household energy needs, is common, showing the need to shift stove interventions from the common approach that promotes one fuel and one device to integrated approaches that incorporate deep understanding of local needs and practices, and multiple fuels and devices, while monitoring residual use of traditional technologies.

Suggested Citation

Masera, Omar R. and Bailis, Robert and Drigo, Rudi and Ghilardi, Adrian and Ruiz-Mercado, Ilse, Environmental Burden of Traditional Bioenergy Use (November 2015). Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 40, pp. 121-150, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2688532 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-102014-021318

Omar R. Masera (Contact Author)

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Institute for Ecosystems Research and Sustainability ( email )

Morelia, Michoacán 58190
Mexico

Robert Bailis

Yale University - School of Forestry & Environmental Studies ( email )

New Haven, CT 06511
United States

Rudi Drigo

Independent ( email )

Adrian Ghilardi

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Environmental Geography Research Center ( email )

Antigua carretera a Patzcuaro #8701
Col. Ex-Hacienda La Huerta
Morelia, Michoacán 58190
Mexico
+52 443 3223854 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://redd.ciga.unam.mx/nrb/

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Laboratorio Nacional de Análisis y Síntesis Ecológica, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia ( email )

Ant. Carr a Pátzcuaro 8701
Morelia, Michoacán 58087
Mexico

HOME PAGE: http://www.lanase.unam.mx

Ilse Ruiz-Mercado

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) - Institute for Ecosystems Research and Sustainability ( email )

Morelia, Michoacán 58190
Mexico

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