FSC certified charcoal from invader bush in Namibia Note: This project has been cancelled, because of the applicant's financial situation.Charcoal is a popular fuel in Namibia and South Africa. In addition there is a growing demand for FSC certified charcoal in Europe. Namibia's woodlands are a particular good source of wood for charcoal production as invasive species need to be removed to restore the original ecosystem.The primary focus of local partner Jumbo Charcoal has thus far been on trading charcoal. With this project the company will be producing its own charcoal.In addition to lacking discernment with regard to selection of species, local charcoal production practice is often small-scale and inefficient. The traditional charcoal is of variable quality. Traditional charcoal production efficiencies are as low as 10 to 15%, i.e. 7 to 10 kg of wood is needed for the production of 1 kg of charcoal.The carbonisation technology - the so-called twin retort technology - is far more environmental friendly compared to traditional methods of carbonising as emitted gas is reused and weight efficiency is 33%. The technology is new to Namibia but proven in various other countries. The twin retort technology was developed in the Netherlands by the Carbo Group.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)CSR is of vital importance to the project, if not from a moral then from a commercial point of view. As the charcoal is sold to several supermarket chains in Western European countries, each has its own CSR requirements. For example supermarkets in the United Kingdom require ethical audits by organisations such as Veritas or Africa Now. Their focus is on labour conditions. Special attention is paid to the conditions of the workers in the factory and wood cutter safety. Environmental sustainability is a focus of the partners and is guaranteed by their commercial interest to comply with FSC standards.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe project employs in total 82 people, about 10 of them are already employed by Jumbo Charcoal. The other 70 are additionally employed people. Of the 82 about 13 are medium or higher level staff. Two years after the pilot phase an additional 62 people will be employed. The lowest paid workers will get € 50 per month which is about 2.5 times the normal wages for unskilled labour.The following arrangements will be made regarding conditions and side benefits:- Conditions for the workers in the factory: heat and charcoal dust require safety regulations and preventive measures such as mouth caps.- Wood cutter safety: sharp cutting equipment and thorny trees require handling instructions, first aid instructions and a first aid kit.- Employees get a health insurance, admission to a pension scheme, a social fund for calamities and a credit and saving system will be established.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeAll training related to the kiln operation is new for the country.•	Chain effectsThe charcoal production chain is relatively short. The most important chain effect is therefore the partial clearing of land of about 20 large scale farms (10,000 ha each). Land that had become impenetrable for cattle will become accessible once more.•	EnvironmentCurrently, 26 million ha (i.e. one third of Namibia's surface area) is suffering from invasive species, locally referred to as invader bush. In contrast to the indigenous landscape, which is parkland-like, characterised by tall trees, scattered bushes and grasslands, the invasive species form thick, thorny, impenetrable bushes that are very deep rooting. Where wildlife and cattle used to feed on the grasslands, the bushes are a threat to their existence. The deep root system depletes ground water levels to levels where grassroots do not reach. The progress of invader bush finally results in desertification of the area.The project benefits the ecosystem by using the invasive species as raw material for charcoal production. Other elements of the project that benefit the environment are the use of gasses emitted in the carbonizing process, the maximum use of the charcoal as even the dust particles can be pressed into briquettes and the improved input output ratio compared to traditional production methods.•	Position of womenAbout one third of the employed staff will be women. Women will especially take the medium-level positions. Setting up an efficient charcoal production unit using the twin retort system to produce FSC certified charcoal and briquettes.