Dispelling common misconceptions to improve attitudes and policy outlook on charcoal in developing countries

The production, use and trade of charcoal for domestic cooking and heating are characterized by contradictions, stereotyping, and misconceptions. Partial information, over-generalizations, and the tendency to consolidate charcoal with other biomass fuels have contributed to gross misrepresentation of charcoal in terms of its actual impact on forests, its role in improving energy access, and in appropriate interventions. An underlying and often amplifying challenge that results from this situation is the lack of reliable, consistent, and comparable data on the charcoal sector which would form a necessary baseline for robust decision making. Further, clarifying misconceptions and debunking of myths is paramount for demonstrating the contribution that charcoal could have in addressing energy access and economic challenges in developing countries. We present five commonly held myths about charcoal that are perpetuated by different stakeholders and actors in the sector. Namely, that: 1) Charcoal is an energy source for the poor; 2) charcoal use is decreasing; 3) charcoal causes deforestation; 4) the charcoal sector is economically irrelevant, and; 5) improved charcoal cook stoves reduce deforestation and GHG emissions. Using a review of the literature and our own experience with charcoal research and practice, we propose reasons for the existence of these myths, why they are highly disputable, and the consequences that the myths have had on policy and intervention responses to charcoal. Widespread beliefs of these myths have and continue to misguide policy response and intervention approaches relating to charcoal. We propose some policy and research recommendations to curb further perpetuation of misconceptions that have been particularly harmful for charcoal.

► Charcoal data are distorted because they are lumped with those of other wood fuels.
► Misconceptions perpetuate five myths that harm perceptions about charcoal.
► Myths can misguide interventions and policy response to the charcoal sector.
► Myths narrow scope of charcoal discussions to an environmental niche.
► Debunking myths is necessary to appreciate true potential of charcoal.