Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Bioenergy and the Need for Regenerative Supply Options for Africa

Abstract

Energy supply systems in the tropics and subtropics are marred with considerable negative impacts on ecosystems, for example, forest loss and habitat destruction. This document examines the role of ecosystems in household energy supply in Africa and explores pathways to ecosystem-based approaches to bioenergy generation by building on the regenerative economy concept. An ecosystem-based approach to bioenergy is an energy supply and utilization mechanism aimed at enhancing sustainable management of the sources of ecosystems with minimal trade-offs on/from other sectors directly linked to energy issues. Our analysis revealed that about 87% of energy supply to the population originated from agroecosystems and is challenged by the severe ecosystem degradation happening due to natural and anthropogenic factors. However, ecosystem restoration and effective use of agricultural residues could provide hope for making energy supply sustainable. Our analysis showed that restoring sparsely vegetated areas and degraded forest and savannahs, promotion of agroforestry in degraded agricultural lands, and use of agricultural residues could generate close to 71 billion gigajoules (GJ) of energy and provide sufficient energy for about 2.5 billion people if implemented in all potential areas identified. Ecosystem-based approaches to bioenergy along with a well-balanced involvement of sectors and industry actors coupled with knowledgeable management of the ecosystem could lead to beneficial outcomes for the society and environment.

Analysis on the Dynamic Evolution of Bioenergy Industry in the Yangtze River Delta Based on Multilevel Social Network Theory

“…However, the current analysis in this paper is mainly based on qualitative analysis of social factors, such as qualitative analysis of the influence of various stakeholders, analysis and prospects of the development status, and prospects of bioenergy based on multilevel perspective theory. It has not established a quantitative investigation and research system based on economic and environmental factors, such as economic benefit analysis and environmental benefit analysis of the bioenergy industry [53][54][55]. If the social, economic, and environmental benefits are comprehensively and quantitatively analysed, the development of bioenergy will be presented more clearly, scientifically, and comprehensively, identifying the development trend of bioenergy and formulate strategies for bioenergy development and energy transition.…”

Biowastes as a Potential Energy Source in Africa

“…The analysis of 19 crops mostly grown found that crop wastes of production rate of 697.87 million tons per year can generate 10.52 EJ. This potential is enough to support 366 million population (around 33% of 2019 Sub-Saharan Africa population) that had 28.76 GJ per capital [20]. If this energy from crop residue is well utilized and assuming mean biomass energy of 20 GJ/t, the wood biomass that can be saved is around 526 million tons of wood which is equal to 122 million hectare of forest area saved.…”

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Practices as a Nature-Based Solution to Promote Water-Energy-Food Nexus Balance

“…The second pathway summarized in Figure 5 explores how climate-smart farming clusters, including vegetable and fruit gardening, improved fish farming practices, and diverse climate-smart farming technologies, can contribute to balanced WEF nexus building. For example, the proper harnessing of climate-smart farming technologies can increase energy stock through crop residuals [45], and simultaneously increase food stock (through fruits and vegetables) and earn sustainable community livelihoods by selling excess produce [46,47]. A cost-benefit analysis of the economic viability of vegetable and fruit gardening by Langellotto [48] revealed that this activity can produce fruits, nuts, and vegetables worth over USD 677 annually, with the value mainly depending on THE local environmental and socioeconomic context and choice of crops.…”