Biomass burning in Africa: Role in atmospheric change and opportunities for emission mitigation

Authors

Evans Kituyi, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Shem O. Wandiga, University of Nairobi
Meinrat O. Andreae, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Günter Helas, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry

Document Type

Article

Department

East African Institute

Abstract

A review of available literature published on biomass burning and trace gas emissions in Africa reveals household biofuel use, land use and land-use change to be the most important trace gas emission sources in Africa, contributing about 4% to the overall global C~ budget. This may not be significant in so far as altering global climate through temperature rise is concerned. However, through the contribution of about 35% of the global photochemical ozone formation, biomass burning in Africa significantly influences important atmospheric processes. Although the total greenhouse gas emissions from Africa are very low compared to those of other continents, countries on the continent could still contribute to global greenhouse gas mitigation efforts through ways that could simultaneously deliver urgent development needs.

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Climate Change and Africa

Recommended Citation

Kituyi, E., Wandiga, S. O., Andreae, M. O., Helas, G. (2005). Biomass burning in Africa: Role in atmospheric change and opportunities for emission mitigation. Climate Change and Africa, 78-88.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_eai/32