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Global wood fuel production estimates and implications

Author

Listed:
  • E. Ashley Steel

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO))

  • Oliver Stoner

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    University of Glasgow)

  • Harry Podschwit

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO))

  • Bruno Paz

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    University of Göttingen)

  • Ilaria Bombelli

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    Sapienza University of Rome
    Italian National Institute of Statistics)

  • Sophia L. Simon

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    GreenCollar)

  • Erin Peterson

    (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    EP Consulting)

  • Holger Weimar

    (Thünen Institute of Forestry)

  • Sebastian Glasenapp

    (Thünen Institute of Forestry)

  • Richard Sikkema

    (Tall Forester Trees (advisory services))

  • Nazik Elhassan

    (International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA))

  • Rob Bailis

    (Stockholm Environment Institute)

  • Florian Steierer

    (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe)

  • Leonardo R. Souza

    (United Nations Statistics Division)

Abstract

Global wood fuel production can indicate opportunities and also challenges in sustainable development, forest management, and energy access. Estimates of wood fuel removals and charcoal production are essential for tracking global goals yet reliable measurements are rare. We synthesize existing understanding through a mechanistic, conceptual model and build on it to develop statistical models from official statistics and over 2000 newly identified data points. For 2019, we estimate 2525.7 million m3 of wood fuel removals globally, approximately 30% higher than previously understood. Our estimates are 50% higher in Africa and 40% higher in Asia, 10% lower in the Americas and 20% lower in Europe. Global production of wood charcoal is estimated at 70.5 million tonnes, approximately 50% higher than previous values; our estimates are 20% higher in Africa and 200% higher in Asia. These estimates describe global shifts in wood fuel removals and charcoal production and improve our understanding of the forest sector; they will likely underlie global models used to forecast future trends.

Suggested Citation

  • E. Ashley Steel & Oliver Stoner & Harry Podschwit & Bruno Paz & Ilaria Bombelli & Sophia L. Simon & Erin Peterson & Holger Weimar & Sebastian Glasenapp & Richard Sikkema & Nazik Elhassan & Rob Bailis , 2025. "Global wood fuel production estimates and implications," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59733-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59733-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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