Author:
Sori Sima Bacho, Pitta Sekhar

Doi: 10.26480/jtin.01.2025.01.09

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

This study investigates household energy consumption patterns and their environmental impacts in Shambu Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, focusing on the reliance on traditional biomass fuels. Data from 200 households were collected through stratified and purposive sampling, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing energy choices. Results indicate that 78.5% of households rely on firewood and charcoal, with annual per-household consumption of 346.95 kg and 252.175 kg, respectively. Logistic regression revealed statistically significant factors influencing fuel choice, including household income (B=−0.21,p=0.005), home ownership (B=0.365,p=0.006), and the absence of electricity (B=0.595,p<0.001). This biomass reliance leads to the degradation of 1,087.12 hectares of forest annually, including 910.488 hectares from charcoal production. Annual CO2 emissions from household energy consumption total 7,439.39 tons, with firewood contributing 5,882.498 tons and charcoal contributing 1,556.894 tons. Statistical modeling indicates that transitioning to cleaner fuels, such as biomass briquettes, biogas, and ethanol, alongside the use of improved stoves, could reduce CO2 emissions by 3,060.48 tons annually. The study highlights the environmental costs of unsustainable biomass use, including deforestation, biodiversity loss, and significant carbon emissions. Policies promoting subsidies for cleaner energy technologies, sustainable forest management, and educational initiatives to shift cultural preferences toward cleaner cooking methods are critical. These measures could mitigate the environmental and health impacts while reducing dependence on traditional biomass. By adopting such strategies, Shambu Town can achieve a sustainable energy transition and serve as a model for similar regions across Sub-Saharan Africa.