Empirical assessment of fuel-wood induced carbon footprint in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Most studies of carbon footprint (CFP) in relation to climate change focus on the generation of greenhouse gases (GHG) by human activities such as electricity, industrialization and transportation in urban areas with little attention on rural areas. Against this background, this study aims to identify sources of Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission, and estimate the amount of CFP  generated through fuel-wood consumption in Udu LGA of Delta State, Nigeria. Data for the study were obtained from a sample of 200 households in four (4) rural settlements chosen randomly from 32 villages. Mixed survey technique which involved questionnaires, field observations and measurement were employed to collect data for the study. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlation Analysis and calculation of CFP. The study reveals that the major source of CO₂ emission was fuel wood (82.0%), which is used for various domestic and production activities with an average of 39.58kg consumed by each sampled household; thus, generating between 7.24314 MT daily. The amount of CFP also varies directly with the sizes of the sampled households. The study recommends that alternative sources of clean energy should be developed and utilized for sustainable development of the environment and mitigation of climate change phenomenon.