EUBCE side event: Biomass residue valorisation in the Global South

Latest trends in biomass conversion, policies and market deployment in Africa, Asia and Latin America

Background

As part of the EUBCE, Platform Renewable Fuels is involved in the organisation of a side event on biomass residue valorisation in the Global South. You can register to the EUBCE here and find the full programme of the side event on the following page.

Rationale

Countries in the Global South have large amounts of biomass residues that largely remain unutilized. While most economies currently heavily depend on volatile and often expensive fossil energy (oil, gas, coal), renewable (bio)energy options still are in early development stages. Large numbers of poor households rely on biomass (wood, charcoal) for cooking and heating with detrimental effects on health and landscapes. Meanwhile, under fertilisation practices deprive agricultural soils from essential crop nutrients and soil organic matter thus reducing crop yields that are threatened by climate change.

Action is needed to develop chains that convert unutilized biomass streams into energy, ensuring valuable nutrients and residues are used to boost food production and soil health. Projects and initiatives presented in this event use principles of the food and energy nexus to develop practical options for biomass valorisation that boost energy and crop output at household and regional levels. Strategies are needed to boost market development and upscaling of existing initiatives, linking them to global value chains in order to ensure long-term offtake and sustainable incomes. This event provides a state-of-the-art inventory of research and innovative practices on biomass valorisation in Africa, Asia and Latin America, presenting examples from research projects, commercial initiatives and development programs. It aims to bring together key decision-makers from research, industry, stakeholders, and policymakers, inviting them to lay out new strategies and policies for innovation and market deployment.

Organizers

Hans Langeveld (Biomass Research, Organic Fertilizer Valorisation Implementer project, the Netherlands), Lu Feng (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research NIBIO), Jean Marc Sika (Alliance for Biodigester in West and Central Africa, AB/WCA, Burkina Faso), Luis Cutz (TU Delft, the Netherlands), Dennis Barbian (Netherlands Enterprise Agency; African Biogas Component ABC-ENDEV), Loes Knotter (Platform Renewable Fuels, the Netherlands)

Format

Two sessions including five presentations and a panel discussion between key stakeholders (research, industry, policy) reflecting on lessons learnt, policies and actions to be taken.

Session titles

• ‍A Bioenergy linking circular economy to regenerative agriculture: focus on integrated food and energy systems in Africa
• B Realising the bioenergy potential through innovative strategies for market deployment in the global south

Target audience

Decision-makers from research, industry, and policy plus key stakeholders from agriculture, renewable energy and development (investment banks, NGOs, private investors)

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