| A few. green energy workshop participants |
The use of wood energy is one of the main causes of deforestation and degradation of natural forests in Madagascar.
The forest cover of the Big Island fell from 9.4 million hectares in 2005 to 9.2 million in 2010. Which is equivalent to a reduction of almost 40,000 ha per year. Charcoal mining and logging are mainly to blame. Madagascar has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. 20% is due to the use of biomass fuels for cooking.
This theme is a real concern for the Government, with the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH) in the lead. Because it is both an environmental and socio-economic problem. According to estimates, indoor household pollution affects the health of women and especially children. 12,000 deaths per year are attributed to respiratory infections caused by inhaling polluted household air from traditional cooking. 20% of deaths in children under 5 years of age are due to acute lower respiratory tract infections. This situation led the MEH to find lasting solutions with technical and financial partners. The Directorate for the Promotion of Ethanol and Bioenergy plans in its priority lines the implementation of the “Clean cooking” project which fits in particular with the objectives of the MEH: promoting access to the use of clean cooking at the level households such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), ethanol, ecological coal, biogas, solar cooker, etc.
Achievable goals
A workshop relating to the use of green energy was held on January 30 with the theme “Clean cooking and reforestation”. This opportunity brought together key players in the energy sector such as the MEH, representatives of green energy stakeholders and major partners such as UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), OPEC Fund (the OPEC Fund for International Development) and SEforALL (Sustainable Energy for All). Its implementation involves awareness-raising actions, prioritizing the areas most devastated by deforestation. The activities will continue through a campaign to promote clean cooking methods which will be coupled with the popularization and distribution campaign for improved stoves. They will focus in particular on the best choice of fuel, adapted to purchasing power. As support, forest landscape restoration operations are planned for each region.
Madagascar Express