Analyzing the Effects of Fuel-wood use on Forest Degradation and Carbon Loss, and Future Policies for Sustainable Energy Utilization in the War-Affected Areas of Ethiopia

The armed conflict in Tigray/Ethiopia has resulted in a total dependence of residents on the scarce forest resources for energy use. Hence, in this study, we monitored fuel-wood transported to three major towns for two seasons and seven consecutive days. The study results showed that fuel-wood transported from the natural forest to each of the studied towns during the war was 16,055 ton per year, which was 628.7% higher compared to the pre-war. The resulting annual average number of trees cut to deliver fuel-wood to each town was 39,563 trees, far beyond the 5429 trees before the war outbreak. Hence, an equivalent of 268-365 hectares of forest at the proximity of each studied town disappeared every year. These in turn resulted to an average annual CO2 emission of 27692.4 ton compared to 3800.2 ton before the war. To overcome these challenges, a set of five policy recommendations emerged, i.e. issuing fuel-wood permits and regulations; promoting Watershed protection and fuel-wood production approach; improving fuel-wood management and conversion practices; emphasizing on market potential of reforestation activities; encouraging and incentivizing alternative energy sources. It can be concluded that the war and existing siege in Tigray resulted to high forest degradation and carbon loss. Keywords: fuel wood, forest, carbon, future policy, war affected, season