Agent-based modeling of "cleaner" cookstove adoption and woodfuel use: An integrative empirical approach
Authored by Arundhati Jagadish, Puneet Dwivedi, Kira D McEntire, Mamta Chandar
Date Published: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2019.101972
Sponsors:
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Platforms:
NetLogo
Model Documentation:
ODD
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
Heavy reliance on biomass for cooking and heating raises concerns of
deforestation and forest degradation in rural India. We developed an
agent-based model to spatially and temporally understand woodfuel
consumption from local forests, and the role of adoption of cleaner
cookstoves in alleviating woodfuel pressure from nearby forests. First,
we calculated the aboveground woody biomass present in forests accessed
for woodfuel using randomized forest sampling. Second, we quantified
household woodfuel consumption for cooking and heating from the
household surveys. Third, we developed four different scenarios over 20
years varying the adoption of ``cleaner{''} cookstoves (LPG and
Induction). Finally, we synthesized information in an agent-based model
to estimate the spatial patterns and temporal trends of woodfuel
collection from nearby forests in a watershed located in Himachal
Pradesh, India. The total annual woodfuel consumption was 2200 t across
eight villages located in the selected watershed. Households with at
least one non-biomass-based cookstove consumed on average 0.38 t less
woodfuel than households with only biomass-based cookstoves. The total
aboveground woody biomass for 235.8 ha of forest area accessed for
woodfuel collection was 95,505 t. From the model, we found that the
total aboveground woody biomass increased from 95,505.2 to 110,352.5 t
over 20 years. The aboveground woody biomass increased in larger forest
areas at the end of 20 years, whereas in smaller forest areas it
decreased considerably. We postulate that instead of focusing on
measures to reduce consumption at the household level, policies may be
more effective by focusing on supply side reforms such as promoting
alternative sources for woodfuel, along with alternatives to not just
``cleaner{''} cooking but heating as well.
Tags
Productivity
India
biomass
patterns
forests
Transition
Consumption
Garhwal himalaya
Fuelwood use
Wisdom