Description:
Although charcoal is the single most important energy source for millions of urban dwellers in Tanzania it seems to be politically neglected and even unwanted. A coherent policy framework governing charcoal production, trade and use does not exist, and reliable statistics on the sector are not available. As a consequence, the charcoal sector remains highly informal with regulations either unclear, not or only partially enforced, or easily bypassed due to pervasive corruption. While the total annual charcoal business volume in Dar es Salaam alone is estimated to be worth US$ 350 million, the government is incurring an estimated revenue loss of US$ 100 million per year due to unregulated and unregistered activities in charcoal production and utilization.

This working seminar presents the findings from a political economy analysis of Tanzania's charcoal sector that was completed earlier this year, exploring opportunities and obstacles to designing and implementing reforms that would render the sector more environmentally and socially sustainable. The study took an innovative, inclusive and participatory approach to political economy analysis to collect stakeholders' views on politically and socially sensitive issues that are otherwise not put forward for open discussion. The process of conducting the study also provided a platform for mutual experience sharing, learning and awareness raising of critical (political, economic, social and environmental) issues surrounding charcoal sector reforms.

Presenters:

• Klas Sander, Natural Resources Economist, ENV
• Clemens Gros, Social Development Specialist, SDV
  

Chaired by:

• Robin Mearns, Lead Social Development Specialist, SDV

Discussants:

• Peter Dewees, Lead Specialist, ARD
• Sameer Akbar, Acting Program Manager, Climate Change, ENV