Fuelwood efficient stoves as strategies to adapt the effects of climate change in Muheza District, Tanzania

A Dissertation 2019

The study was conducted in Muheza district, Tanzania to assess the fuelwood efficient stoves (FWES) as strategies to adapt to climate change effects. Specifically, the study assessed the extent of adoption of fuelwood efficient stoves, examined the direct and indirect benefits of the stoves in the context of climate change adaptation and determined the challenges of adoptions and up-scaling the FWES technology. Data were collected through household’s questionnaire survey, checklists, and direct observations. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were used in the study. Findings showed that about 77% of households adopted the fuelwood efficient stoves. Five types of cooking stoves were observed in the area; improved stove with and without chimney, gas stoves, charcoal and three stones-traditional open stoves. Firewood consumption, low emission of smoke and restoration of landscapes were among the direct and indirect benefit of using the fuelwood efficient stoves in adapting to climate change effect in the area. Binary Logistic Regression Model Analysis (R 2 =0.73, F=9.57, p<0.05) revealed that age and fuelwood scarcity significantly showed a positive linear relationship with FWES adoption. T-sample test show that the average of the head load of fuelwood used per week by households after and before the introduction of stoves were statistically different. Results also revealed that adoption of stoves is the best strategy for communities in order to adapt to climate change effects in the area by reducing disturbances on the forest resources. Nevertheless, limited knowledge about the stoves and its usefulness in relation to climate change effects was among of the challenges for adoptions of the stoves in the area. Therefore, the adoption of fuelwood efficient stoves by the local communities in the area has assisted them to adapt on the effects of climate change while addressing the scarcity of fuelwood in the area and improving their livelihoods.