Assessment of Household Fuel Wood Use, in the Mattu and Bedele Districts, of Southwestern Ethiopia

In many developing countries, households heavily rely on fuelwood for cooking and heating. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of research on sustainable energy solutions in developing countries by exploring household fuelwood consumption patterns and preferred wood types for fuel use in the Mattu and Bedele districts of southwestern Ethiopia. The ultimate goal is to inform policy and program interventions that can improve environmental and socioeconomic outcomes in these communities. A comprehensive survey was conducted in 195 households using multistage sampling methods to collect information on fuelwood consumption levels, cooking habits, socioeconomic characteristics, and perceptions of different wood types. Fuelwood collection, storage, and use in households were observed to verify self‐reported data. The amount of fuel consumed over 7 days was calculated using the weight method, and measurements of fuel wood were conducted to quantify consumption per capita. Data obtained from household surveys and direct measurements were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and multiple regression analyses. Key findings from the regression analysis revealed that factors such as age and size of the household, educational attainment, income, and proximity of fuel wood sources significantly influenced consumption patterns in these districts. Urban families consumed substantially less fuel wood (average of 2.56 kg/day) than their rural counterparts (average of 7.32 kg/day), resulting in a total consumption of approximately 187.3 tons of dry biomass which is an estimated 262 tons of CO 2 emissions. Six preferred tree species for firewood were identified: Pouteria adolfi-friederici , Prunus africana , Albiza gummifera , Croton macrostachyus , Eucalyptus globulus , and Cupressus lusitanica . The main challenges of household firewood consumption in the areas were identified as forest degradation, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change. To mitigate these challenges, regulatory bodies should enforce laws and regulations on reforestation initiatives, promote alternative cooking fuels and efficient cookstoves, plant fast‐growing wood tree species, and implement community forest management initiatives.