Sustainable Charcoal
Cleaner Charcoal for Uganda’s Cooking Energy Market
Charcoal is the dominant cooking fuel for over 90% of Uganda’s urban households. GBG produces sustainable charcoal from managed eucalyptus plantations using retort and metallic kiln technologies that dramatically reduce deforestation pressure and air pollution compared to conventional charcoal.
GBG Charcoal vs Conventional Charcoal
| Feature | ✓ GBG Sustainable Charcoal | ✗ Conventional Charcoal |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material Source | Managed eucalyptus plantations | Natural forests (uncontrolled) |
| Kiln Technology | Retort / mobile metallic kilns | Traditional earth kilns |
| Charcoal Yield | 22–30% | 10–15% |
| Deforestation Impact | None — plantation sourced | High — open forest cutting |
| Emissions During Production | Very Low (captured & recycled) | Very High (black carbon, CO²) |
| Byproduct | Biochar + carbon credits | None |
| Product Quality | Consistent, low-moisture | Variable, often high-moisture |
Plantation-Sourced Biomass
All GBG charcoal is produced exclusively from fast-growing eucalyptus plantations managed by smallholder farmers under GBG contract, ensuring no deforestation and full chain-of-custody traceability.
Urban Market Focus
GBG supplies premium charcoal to urban retail, hospitality, and institutional buyers in Kampala and other cities, displacing lower-quality, forest-sourced charcoal from the market.