Madagascar has lost approximately 25% of its tree cover since 2000, equivalent to 4.85 million hectares, largely due to human activities. While slash-and-burn agriculture (tavy) is a primary driver, charcoal production for household cooking and fuel is a significant contributor, affecting both rainforests and dry spiny forests. Nearly 90% of Madagascar's population relies on biomass like wood and charcoal for daily energy needs.

How Charcoal Production Drives Deforestation

• Process: Trees are cut down or limbs removed to produce charcoal by slow-burning in earth ovens. This is often done in rural areas to supply urban demand, where annual per-person consumption is about 100 kg.
• Economic Factors: Poverty and unemployment push communities into charcoal production as a source of income, especially during droughts that disrupt farming.
• Scale: Charcoal demand grows from urban areas, leading to widespread tree felling in regions like the southwest and east.