Dynamics of refugee settlements and energy provision

the case of forest stocks in Zambia

authored by
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.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Environmental Economics and World Trade
Type
Article
Journal
Journal of Economics and Development
Volume
25
Pages
266-283
No. of pages
18
ISSN
1859-0020
Publication date
16.08.2023
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Business, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous), Accounting, Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous), Economics and Econometrics
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1108/JED-11-2022-0230 (Access: Open)