What will Tanzania get in return for a charcoal compromise?

Markku Kanninen, CIFOR senior associate scientist points out, the REDD agreement on forests would not mean that countries have to stop using charcoal altogether. Over 87 percent of Tanzania’s population depends on charcoal and wood for cooking and heating and this puts immense pressure on the country’s woodlands. “People should be encouraged to plant more trees for charcoal and donors can support such programs,” says Kanninen. “Forest conservation is a responsibility of all people not only forest departments.” Under REDD, countries and communities could be rewarded financially if they manage their forests in a way that means new trees grow faster than old ones are used for charcoal of firewood.