Sustainable Charcoal Production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has a population of 8 million people who consume up to 6 million tonnes of fuelwood equivalent per year. However, this city is surrounded by savannahs and forest islands.

Charcoal needs, but also most of the basic starch food (cassava and corn) are met by slash-and-burn cultivation and by the carbonization of the trees of these forest islands and tree savannahs which are deteriorating. The productions formerly provided by these tree formations are becoming rare and expensive. Soil fertility is declining, crop production after fallow is decreasing, spring drying up and fire problems are increasing.

How can we continue to supply populations while limiting the environmental impact on forests?