Climate shocks and charcoal production in Zambia
Droughts in Zambia drive smallholder farmers to increase charcoal production as a coping strategy for crop failure, contributing significantly to forest degradation. This brief suggests policy approaches to reduce charcoal burning after climate shocks, including combining charcoal bans with incentives for forest conservation, access to clean energy, and support for climate-resilient livelihoods.
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Hadunka-et-al-Policy-brief-July-2025.pdf
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This brief explores findings from a study on the effects of climate shocks, specifically droughts, on charcoal production by smallholder farmers in Zambia.
- Zambia’s annual forest degradation is estimated to be between 167,000 and 300,000 hectares, much of it driven by rural households through charcoal production.
- The study shows that droughts cause crop failure, pushing smallholder farmers to turn to charcoal production as an alternative source of income. However, even in good agricultural seasons, some artisanal producers continue to produce charcoal.
- To reduce charcoal burning in the aftermath of climate shocks, the Zambian government could complement existing charcoal bans with inclusive policies that:
- Reward forest conservation by piloting Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes to incentivise the protection of woodlands.
- Expand access to clean energy, such as LPG and sustainable biomass, through innovative financing mechanisms to reduce household reliance on charcoal.
- Support climate-resilient livelihoods through investments in early warning systems, smallholder irrigation systems, climate-smart agriculture and extension support.