OGUNBANWO, FOLORUNSO TAOFEEK2025-11-182025-11-182024-08-25https://ir.funaab.edu.ng/handle/123456789/303A Dissertation submitted to Environmental Systems and Climate Change Programme Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Master of Environmental Systems and Climate Change.ABSTRACT The study investigated the impact of charcoal production on greenhouse gas emission and land-use land-cover change in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State. The study was necessitated by the lack of information on the influence of charcoal production on GHG emissions and vegetation cover degradation in the study area. A gas analyser and portable air quality meter was used to collect data on CO2, CH4, and particulate matter (PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10) emissions from five sites; Araromi, Igbo-Ayin, Mowodani, Sagbala and Segile (the control site). A structured questionnaire was administered to seventy charcoal producers and sellers using a purposive sampling method to assess their level of awareness of the consequences of charcoal production and the volume of charcoal produced. The land-use land-cover changes from 2003 to 2023 were also assessed using the IDRISI Terset; a GIS software by which predictions was made till 2043. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentages, means) and inferential (correlation, ANOVA and chi-square) statistics. The study revealed that the mean carbon dioxide emissions (ppm) from the site were significantly higher at Mowodani (5589.62), Araromi (4776.58), Sagbala (4684.27) and Igbo-Ayin (2927.83) compared to those obtained from Segile (444.82). Also, the mean methane emissions (ppm) from the site were significantly higher at Mowodani (638.74), Sagbala (538.55), Araromi (497.16) and Igbo-Ayin (418.17) compared to those obtained from Segile (10.44). The result of particulate matter emissions across the study locations showed a mean emission for PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 to be 54.79µ/m3, 107.66µ/m3 and 103.86µ/m3, respectively, in comparison to the mean obtained from the control sites which are 24.72µ/m3, 29.40µ/m3 and 49.53µ/m3, respectively, affirming that the mean emissions were indeed significantly different and positive. Respondents during socio demographic assessment reported an improvement in their standard of living (85.7%) and income (87.1%). Furthermore, 54.3% of the respondents wanted charcoal production to be discouraged and 60% were willing to try other economic activities. There is a positive relationship between the CO2 emission and charcoal production (p< 0.05 r=0.539) and between the CH4 emission and charcoal production (p< 0.05 r=0.419) across the study locations. The land-use land-cover change revealed that the built-up/bare surface increased by 6,148ha while the disturbed forest increased by 20,930ha. The woodland savannah and riparian vegetation increased by 290,715ha and 38,076ha respectively. However, the cultivated farmland decreased by 355,869ha. The remote sensing projection in 2043 revealed 0.81% reduction in the built-up/bare surface and an increase of 38.50% in disturbed forest while the woodland savannah and riparian vegetation would increase by 3.13% and 20.19% respectively whereas cultivated farmland is expected to reduce by 10.94%. The study concluded that there is a significant increase in GHG and particulate matter emissions (approximately 3.4001908 x 1014 tons CO2e) resulting from charcoal production in the study area with corresponding land cover change over the past two decades and a projected decrease in cultivated farmland in 2043. The study therefore recommends the creation of awareness and alternative energy sources to reduce carbon footprint for the charcoal producers through the REDD+ programme.enThesis