Rural household energy consumption for cooking and heating in the Haut-Ogooué Province, Gabon

Abstract

Fuelwood is one of the most important provisioning services, benefiting local communities, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on social and ecological surveys, this study explores the role and contribution of fuelwood in household energy use for cooking/heating in rural communities. It aims to understand their dependance on natural resources and inform sustainable management Plans for biodiversity conservation.

Although gas is widely accessible, it serves as a complement rather than a replacement for firewood. Fuelwood serves specific purposes, and different factors intervene in the choice of its use. Despite the simultaneous use of gas, the fuelwood consumption in the study area appears higher than the average in Sub-Saharan Africa.