Operations and improvement needs in the informal charcoal sector – A participatory value stream analysis

Sammanfattning

Developing profitable and sustainable charcoal supply chains in Sub-Saharan Africa requires good knowledge about their properties, input needs and impacts. Charcoal supply chains in Taita Taveta and Kwale counties, Kenya, were analysed to identify operational and sustainability improvement opportunities. Using operations man agement, lean engineering and participatory research, charcoal value streams' processes, resources, and outcomes were analysed. Charcoal production and trade have low entry barriers, slow-paced innovation, and thin profit margins for value chain actors. Production is labour intensive, and the actors need specific skills, knowhow, and resources for proper business performance. The value chain's profitability and sustainability can be improved by regenerating exploited quality tree species, improving operation efficiency and safety, promoting market development, and appropriate policies on charcoal production and trade. The study's findings can guide the development of enabling policies and regulatory frameworks for the charcoal industry and improve the actors' performance in the charcoal value chain.

Nyckelord

bioenergy; energy policy; lean; supply chain management; sustainable livelihoods framework

Publicerad i

International Forestry Review
2021, volym: 23, nummer: 3, sidor: 351-364

SLU författare

• Roos, Anders

  • Institutionen för skogsekonomi, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Globala målen (SDG)

SDG1 Ingen fattigdom
SDG7 Hållbar energi för alla
SDG9 Hållbar industri, innovationer och infrastruktur

UKÄ forskningsämne

Skogsvetenskap
Företagsekonomi
Annan samhällsbyggnadsteknik

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1505/146554821833992802

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/113903