Dynamics of refugee settlements and energy provision

the case of forest stocks in Zambia

verfasst von

Anna Lena Weber, Brigitte Ruesink, Steven Gronau

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to investigate the impact of (1) the establishment of a refugee settlement, (2) the energy demand of a host and refugee population, (3) the residence time of refugees and (4) interventions in the energy sector on sustainable utilization of the forest. Design/methodology/approach: Refugee movements from the Democratic Republic of Congo and settlement construction in a Zambian host society provide the setting. An agent-based model is developed. It uses survey data from 277 Zambian households, geographic information system coordinates and supplementary data inputs. Findings: The future forest stock remains up to 30 years without an influx of refugees. Refugee developments completely deplete the forest over time. The settlement construction severely impacts the forest, while refugees' energy needs seem less significant. Compared with the repatriation of refugees, permanent integration has no influential impact on forest resources. Interventions in the energy sector through alternative sources slow down deforestation. Once a camp is constructed, tree cutting by hosts causes forest covers to decline even if alternative energy is provided. Practical implications: The analysis is useful for comparable host–refugee settings and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees interventions in settlement situations. Forest and energy sector interventions should involve host and refugee stakeholders. Originality/value: This article adds value through an agent-based model in the Zambian deforestation–refugee context. The study has a pilot character within the United Nation's Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. It fills a gap in long-term assessments of refugee presence in local host communities.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Umweltökonomik und Welthandel

Typ

Artikel

Journal

Journal of Economics and Development

Band

25

Seiten

266-283

Anzahl der Seiten

18

ISSN

1859-0020

Publikationsdatum

16.08.2023

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Betriebswirtschaft, Management und Rechnungswesen (sonstige), Bilanzierung, Volkswirtschaftslehre, Ökonometrie und Finanzen (sonstige), Volkswirtschaftslehre und Ökonometrie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 16 – Frieden, Gerechtigkeit und starke Institutionen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1108/JED-11-2022-0230 (Zugang: Offen)