Charcoal Value Chain as a Determinant of Implementation of Environmental Policies: A Case of Charcoal Management Act 2014 of Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

As economies grew and their energy needs increased, the global demand for charcoal as a source of fuel experienced a steady rise in the last quarter of the 21^st century. Charcoal has been a popular and reliable source of energy to meet the recurring energy deficit in many developing countries as a non-renewable energy source.  However, it requires intensive production, and harvesting of trees and other wood sources, a practice that when unregulated, can cause rapid deterioration of tree cover alongside the generation of greenhouse gases.   This research sought to find out how the charcoal value chain in charcoal production imparted on implementation of environmental policy in the case of charcoal management law in Kitui County. The research used a descriptive survey methodology to obtain quantitative data through questionnaires. The survey sample size of 205 charcoal producers calculated from a target population of 400 Charcoal Producers with a 5% margin error at a 95% confidence level was targeted. Quantitative data obtained was processed and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that 87% of charcoal producers were not conversant with environmental policies thus impacting negatively on implementation of environmental policies. In addition, 78% of respondents strongly agreed that long value chains between producers and consumers impact negatively adherence to set environmental laws and policies. Consequently, from the study findings, it’s concluded that shortening the link between producer and consumer can help increase charcoal sales and enhance the quality of produce. The study recommended the need to increase government support in product value additions to the locals of Kitui County who are heavily on a producer-consumer approach with less bearing on enhancing the products. This would impoverish the financial gains with sound controls against environmental degradation.