Charcoal: Namibia Must Grow the Industry Without Destroying the Environment
Namibia’s charcoal industry is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s rural economy, creating employment, generating income for farmers and communities, and contributing to exports. Its rapid growth, however, also presents a difficult question: how can Namibia develop an industry built around the removal of woody vegetation without undermining the very natural environment on […]
Namibia’s charcoal industry is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s rural economy, creating employment, generating income for farmers and communities, and contributing to exports. Its rapid growth, however, also presents a difficult question: how can Namibia develop an industry built around the removal of woody vegetation without undermining the very natural environment on which its economy and communities depend?
This is not an argument for abandoning charcoal production. Nor should legitimate environmental concerns be used to dismiss the livelihoods of thousands of Namibians who participate in the industry. Rather, the growth of charcoal should compel government, producers, farmers and environmental organisations to confront the consequences of an industry that, if poorly managed, can become environmentally destructive.
Agricultural and forestry authorities have long recognised that Namibia faces a significant problem of bush encroachment. In many parts of the country, dense woody vegetation has reduced grazing capacity and affected the productivity of rangelands. Properly managed bush harvesting can therefore serve an economic and ecological purpose: removing excess woody vegetation can improve grazing conditions while creating a marketable product.
This is one of the strongest arguments in favour of Namibia’s charcoal industry.
But the existence of bush encroachment does not mean every tree is expendable.
Former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein has previously expressed concern about the environmental consequences of charcoal production, particularly the cutting of old trees. His warning is important because it highlights the distinction between sustainable bush management and indiscriminate tree harvesting.
There is a fundamental difference between harvesting invasive or excessive bush in accordance with an approved management plan and cutting mature indigenous trees simply because they are commercially valuable.
The distinction matters enormously.
Namibia’s natural environment is already under considerable pressure from drought, climate change, land degradation, overgrazing and changing rainfall patterns. Mature trees provide shade, store carbon, stabilise soils and form part of habitats used by birds, insects and other wildlife. Removing them without adequate regeneration can have consequences that are not immediately visible on a balance sheet.
The danger is that the commercial success of charcoal could create incentives for producers to harvest whatever trees are easiest or most profitable to cut, rather than what is environmentally appropriate.
This is where regulation becomes essential.
Namibia should not attempt to regulate the charcoal industry out of existence. Instead, government must ensure that growth takes place within a clear and enforceable environmental framework. Harvesting permits, management plans, monitoring and regeneration requirements should be more than paperwork. They must translate into actual oversight on the ground.
The country also needs better information.
How much charcoal is being produced annually? From which regions? What species are being harvested? How old are the trees being removed? How much land is being cleared? How effectively is vegetation regenerating after harvesting?
These are basic questions for an industry with potentially significant environmental consequences. Without reliable data, policymakers are forced to make decisions based on assumptions, while the public is left to speculate about the industry’s true impact.
There is also an economic argument for stronger regulation.
Namibia should aspire to move beyond exporting low-value raw commodities wherever possible. The charcoal sector could support greater local value addition through improved processing, packaging, branding and downstream products. This would allow Namibia to capture more value from its natural resources while potentially reducing pressure to increase the volume of trees harvested simply to expand revenues.
Equally important is ensuring that rural communities benefit meaningfully from the industry.
If charcoal production is generating substantial economic activity but rural producers remain trapped at the lowest end of the value chain, Namibia will have missed an important opportunity. Training, cooperatives, access to markets and sustainable harvesting technologies could help producers increase their incomes without necessarily increasing the environmental footprint.
Government should also resist the temptation to view the charcoal industry solely through either an economic or environmental lens. The reality is more complicated.
For farmers dealing with bush encroachment, charcoal can be part of a practical land-management strategy. For rural workers, it can provide employment. For exporters, it represents a growing commercial opportunity. For government, it can contribute to economic activity and foreign exchange.
But for Namibia’s ecosyst
