Fiscal Year 2021 First Quarter Report (October – December 2020)

The Activity aims to reduce unsustainable wood fuel demand and promote the adoption of alternative cooking energies and fuel-efficient cooking technologies in Malawi. The main threats to Malawi's forests include unsustainable harvesting for wood fuels, agriculture and settlement expansion in forested areas, and harmful bushfires. Charcoal production is the single most significant driver of forest degradation, with over 96% of households relying on charcoal and firewood as their primary cooking fuel. The lack of available alternative energies for cooking, coupled with population growth, rapid urbanization, and high prices of existing alternatives, contributes to the continued reliance on charcoal and firewood. To address these challenges, MCHF has launched several initiatives, including the Malawi Clean Cooking Fund, a $1.1 million performance-based grant fund designed to increase the supply of and demand for alternative cooking energies and fuel-efficient cooking technologies. The project has also launched the MCHF Accelerator Program, which will support the development of early-stage enterprises working in the cooking energy/technology and forest-friendly enterprise sectors. In addition to these initiatives, MCHF has been working to strengthen regulatory and enforcement frameworks to support sustainable wood fuel production and use. This includes the development of the Forestry Act, Amendment Bill, and subsidiary regulations, as well as improved capacity for forest law enforcement and advocacy and public awareness on forestry laws and regulations. The project has also been working to improve the Government of Malawi's implementation capacity for low emissions development in REDD+ and/or other land use. This includes supporting the Government to carry out the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and building capacity to monitor forests by equipping the National Monitoring Unit (NMU). Throughout the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2021, MCHF implemented a wide range of activities, including baseline data collection and field work in MCHF focal forest reserves, districts, and urban areas. The project also launched several new initiatives, including the Malawi Clean Cooking Fund and the MCHF Accelerator Program. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on MCHF's implementation, with a dramatic increase in cases in the first three weeks of January. The project will continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with USAID and FCDO regarding potential impacts on planned implementation over the next quarter of FY2021. MCHF has made significant progress in its first quarter, with several key achievements, including the launch of the Malawi Clean Cooking Fund and the MCHF Accelerator Program. The project has also made progress in strengthening regulatory and enforcement frameworks and improving the Government of Malawi's implementation capacity for low emissions development. The project's focus on reducing unsustainable wood fuel demand and promoting the adoption of alternative cooking energies and fuel-efficient cooking technologies is critical to addressing the main threats to Malawi's forests. By working with the Government of Malawi, local communities, and other stakeholders, MCHF aims to promote sustainable forest management and reduce the impact of charcoal production on Malawi's forests.