Renewable energies
Forest conservation through alternative energy sources and efficiency
Kafa - Foto: NABU/Svane Bender
Also in Kafa, firewood is collected by women and girls in forests which means a constant pressure on the natural forest ecosystems as well as a heavy burden for both women and children.
In addition, firewood for cooking is used inefficiently with an open fire method, the so called ‘three-stones-stove’. Apart from forest destruction, large quantities of carbon dioxide are being released and the carbon-storage capacity of the forest is being reduced.
In order to improve this situation, 11,200 energy-saving stoves have successfully been developed and introduced by NABU’s former project to local communities at the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in close collaboration with the Kafa Zone Department for Water, Mines and Energy. These stoves significantly reduce the amounts of wood needed for cooking and also produce less smoke and burning of household members.
Now, these stoves are being technically further improved and adapted to local needs. 2,500 of the improved stoves will be introduced to local households. The overall goal of this activity is to reduce the wood amounts consumed per household.
Thus, it is planned to also identify and develop alternative energy sources to reduce the pressure on the forest resources. After an evaluation of suitable alternative energy sources, for example waste material like coffee pulps, at least one alternative energy resource will be introduced.
project overview
Ethiopia is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot and is considered to be one of the world's most species-rich countries. The last remaining highland forests have been identified as particularly valuable key ecosystems. However, they have declined dramatically in size. more →
related topics
Ecosystem functioning needs to be seen as a global task: Therefore NABU is active in biodiversity hotspots and beyond. As part of the BirdLife network bird conservation has a long tradition for us. It’s efforts are directed to the whole biodiversity.
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NABU is comitted to promoting sustainable regional development worldwide. Our international projects always include income generating activities, which comprehensively address all three dimensions of sustainability—balancing economy, ecology and social equality. more →
An ecosystem is a complex of living organisms. NABU focuses on restoring ecosystems to their original state and important regulatory functions such as carbon sequestration. Ideally that's done by creating conditions in which the ecosystem can recover on its own. more →