For years, wood and charcoal were the most common source of energy for cooking, but it requires cutting down trees which causes deforestation.

Biomass remains the main source of energy, at 85 per cent, of which 26 per cent is charcoal, according to a recent study by the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA).

The study also revealed that 72 per cent of people in Kigali use charcoal for cooking.

The research, carried out in eight districts, also indicates that use of traditional earth mound kiln is still dominant, at 86 per cent, although 70 perc ent of people are aware of the improved kilns, called Casamance, which require less wood.

The report also indicates that 334 bags of charcoal are produced every month.

But now RNRA and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (Rema), in partnership with the Belgium government, are stepping up efforts to respond to the challenge posed by the effects of charcoal burning to the environment.

Speaking at a workshop that attracted charcoal producers, distributers, sellers and other stakeholders, Patricia Grobben, from the Belgium Ministry of Environment, said they intend to help Rwanda adopt carbon mitigation policies to mitigate the effects of climate change arising from deforestation.

"We want people to use improved charcoal production kilns so that less wood for the same amount of charcoal can be used,” she said.

She also advised people to start using improved cooking stoves.

"Forests help to absorb the green house emissions from the atmosphere and thus prevent environmental degradation.”

The government, through National Appropriate Mitigation plan (Nama), has put in place policies aimed at reducing the green house gas emission in partnership with stakeholders such as charcoal producers, distributors, salesmen, according to Faustin Munyazikwiye, the in-charge of climate change at Rema.Munyazikwiye added that plans are underway to supply renewable energy to people.

Immaculee Uwimana, a resident of Nyanza District ,said she has registered a significant reduction in wood consumption, thanks to improved kiln to burn charcoal.

"We heap logs of wood and then set a chimney which costs Rwf18, 000. With the traditional method I could get only two sacks out of one heap but with the improved kiln, I now get three bags from the same amount. The process takes four days only, while the previous one would take two weeks,” she said.

Speaking to journalists, Deputy Director General of RNRA, Adrie Mukashema, said if all measures to protect forests are well implemented, 244 hectares of forests would be saved annually.

People should only harvest trees which are six years old, and plant others.

Currently, 28.8 per cent surface area is occupied by forests with a target of 30 per cent by 2018.