A comparative study of bioenergy consumption and CO2 emissions in Tibetan region of China

Bioenergy is an important energy source for Tibetans. To compensate for the lack of a comparative study on household bioenergy consumption and CO2 emissions among farming region, farming-pastoral region, pastoral region, and forest edge zones in Tibetan area, the authors conducted the comparative study through field investigation, literature review and data analysis. The study results reveal that: (1)Bioenergy consumption show regularity from high to low in forest edge zones, pastoral region, farming-pastoral region and farming region, respectively, but the CO2 emissions change from high to low in forest edge zones, pastoral region, farming region, and farming-pastoral region, respectively in Tibetan area; (2)Remote geographic locations and traditional nomadic system restricts Tibetan pastoral region from use of diversified energy, resulting in higher bioenergy consumption and CO2 emissions; (3)The energy efficiency could be potentially increased by improving energy structures and by using durable, low cost and easy to carry clean energy facilities.