A practical approach for increased electrification, lower emissions and lower energy costs in Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy and the energy industry, which is a critical component in powering the world's economies and societies. Energy companies have been affected by changes in energy demand, workforce, supply chains, and investment in sustainable energy solutions. This study aims to investigate the sustainability challenges faced by energy companies during the pandemic and the implications for the transition to a more sustainable energy mix. To achieve the study's objectives, a mixed-methods approach was used, combining a literature review and data analysis of primary and secondary data. The literature review provided a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge in this field, examining existing research on sustainability challenges faced by energy companies during the pandemic. The data analysis included primary data collected through surveys, interviews, focus groups with energy companies and stakeholders, and secondary data collected from publicly available reports, articles, and other publications. The study found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to several sustainability challenges energy companies face. Firstly, reduced energy demand due to economic slowdowns and changes in consumer behavior has decreased revenue for energy companies, making it challenging to invest in sustainable energy solutions. Secondly, supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have made it difficult for energy companies to access the necessary materials and equipment to invest in sustainable energy solutions. Thirdly, workforce reductions have impacted energy companies' ability to invest in sustainable energy solutions and maintain sustainable practices. Finally, the shift in energy mix caused by the pandemic has resulted in some countries reducing their reliance on fossil fuels due to lower demand, while others are relying more heavily on fossil fuels due to reduced renewable energy production. This shift can hinder the transition towards more sustainable energy solutions, posing significant implications for the achievement of climate and sustainability goals. The study recommends a range of measures to incentivize investment in sustainable energy solutions, support the renewable energy sector, and promote sustainability in the energy industry. Firstly, policy incentives could include subsidies for renewable energy projects, tax credits for companies that invest in sustainable energy solutions, and regulatory support for clean energy technologies. These incentives would encourage energy companies to invest in sustainable energy solutions, even during times of economic uncertainty. Additionally, financial support for renewable energy projects could come in the form of government grants or low-interest loans, which would help to reduce the financial burden of investing in sustainable energy solutions. In terms of supporting the renewable energy sector, the study recommends investing in energy storage technologies such as batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. These technologies can help to address the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. The study also recommends investing in grid infrastructure to improve the efficiency and reliability of the energy system, which is essential for the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. Carbon pricing is another policy tool that can promote sustainability in the energy industry. This policy tool puts a price on carbon emissions, either through a tax or a cap-and-trade system. It incentivizes energy companies to reduce their emissions and invest in low-carbon technologies by creating a financial penalty for emitting greenhouse gases. By pricing carbon emissions, energy companies are encouraged to invest in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency measures, and other low-carbon solutions that can reduce their carbon footprint. Carbon pricing policies can also provide revenue that can be used to fund further investment in sustainable energy solutions or offset the costs of transition. Finally, regulations on energy efficiency are another policy tool that can promote sustainability in the energy industry. These regulations can require energy companies to adopt more efficient practices, such as improving the energy efficiency of buildings and industrial processes, which would reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency regulations can take many forms, such as setting minimum standards for equipment and appliances or requiring energy audits for buildings. By requiring energy companies to prioritize energy efficiency, these regulations can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions, while also providing cost savings to consumers Keywords: sustainability, COVID-19, pandemic, energy market, energy companies

Aquaculture is a major source of protein in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a region experiencing rapid population growth, changing lifestyles and preferences, and increased health awareness. However, the industry is still underdeveloped and is of a subsistence nature. Climate change has impacted aquaculture production (AQUAP) in SSA because of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, AQUAP activities also results in GHG emissions. In SSA, the causal effect of GHG emissions and AQUAP has not yet been empirically established and quantified. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between GHG emissions and AQUAP in SSA. The parsimonious vector autoregressive (VAR) model was used in the study, with annual time series data of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), meat production (MP), GHG emissions, and AQUAP from 1970 to 2020. The findings demonstrate that AQUAP in SSA was suppressed until 2006 when it suddenly increased. Western and Central Africa have dominated AQUAP in SSA. GHG emissions were dropping sporadically until 1991 when they began to rise gradually. In both the long and short run, GHG emissions had a negative influence on AQUAP, while AQUAP had an asymmetric impact on GHG emissions. AQUAP impacts GDP positively in both the long and short run, and GHG emissions had an asymmetric impact on GDP. In conclusion, GHG emissions negatively affect AQUAP. In addition, AQUAP reduced GHG emissions in the short run but however increased it in the long run. This indicates the infancy of the sector in SSA, the initial phase of the Environmental Kuznets Curves (EKC). Furthermore, GDP is positively affected by both GHG emissions and AQUAP. This also cements the initial stages of the EKC, with economic development also powered by GHG emissions, with also the positive contribution of AQUAP to economic growth. Overall, the study concludes of initial economic, and aquaculture sectoral development powered by GHG emissions. However, this is also leading to increased emissions. The study recommends upscaling AQUAP in SSA given its infancy, huge economic potential, sustainability and low GHG emission potential but should be grounded on environmentally sustainable practices.

Toward carbon mitigation resiliency in the agriculture sector: An integrated LCA-GHG protocol-IPCC guidelines framework for biofertilizer application in paddy field.

The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and advancing sustainable airport facilities is an important and highly visible way to demonstrate progress. Citizen groups and scientific reports have both highlighted the increasing share of global GHG emissions due to aviation and have called for everything from policy changes to constrain aviation emissions growth, to a movement for passengers to abstain from flying. With the social licence to operate being called into question, the aviation industry must demonstrate that it takes concerns around sustainability seriously and that it is addressing them in order to maintain public support. A common misconception exists that because aircraft emissions are so significant, sustainability efforts at airports are negligible. Airport GHG emissions are, however, substantial, stemming from energy use in buildings, ground service equipment and specialised equipment. San Francisco International Airport (SFO), to take an example, where the authors have consulted on sustainability, uses as much energy as its three neighbouring towns combined. Nor do airport environmental impacts stop at GHG emissions — airport development and operations can lead to substantial land-use changes, health impacts on millions of passengers and airport workers and noise impacts on neighbouring communities. The secondary impacts of the enormous quantity of materials used in construction of airfields and buildings can all be felt on the local, regional and global scales. Airports can best demonstrate their commitment to sustainability through reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): a global plan of action to protect the environment while promoting the economic growth needed to lift people out of poverty and reduce inequalities between and within countries. The SDGs have received commitments of support from civil society non-governmental organisations, national, state, and local governments and private companies around the world following the most extensive public outreach process ever undertaken, involving over 3 million people. This paper explores how sustainability fits within the SDGs across four categories — energy, water, construction materials and indoor environmental quality — and presents real-world case studies where strategies addressing these topics have been incorporated.

Abstract. This paper summarizes currently available data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from African natural ecosystems and agricultural lands. The available data are used to synthesize current understanding of the drivers of change in GHG emissions, outline the knowledge gaps, and suggest future directions and strategies for GHG emission research. GHG emission data were collected from 75 studies conducted in 22 countries (n = 244) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were by far the largest contributor to GHG emissions and global warming potential (GWP) in SSA natural terrestrial systems. CO2 emissions ranged from 3.3 to 57.0 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1, methane (CH4) emissions ranged from −4.8 to 3.5 kg ha−1 yr−1 (−0.16 to 0.12 Mg CO2 equivalent (eq.) ha−1 yr−1), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions ranged from −0.1 to 13.7 kg ha−1 yr−1 (−0.03 to 4.1 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1). Soil physical and chemical properties, rewetting, vegetation type, forest management, and land-use changes were all found to be important factors affecting soil GHG emissions from natural terrestrial systems. In aquatic systems, CO2 was the largest contributor to total GHG emissions, ranging from 5.7 to 232.0 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1, followed by −26.3 to 2741.9 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1 (−0.89 to 93.2 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1) and 0.2 to 3.5 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 (0.06 to 1.0 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1). Rates of all GHG emissions from aquatic systems were affected by type, location, hydrological characteristics, and water quality. In croplands, soil GHG emissions were also dominated by CO2, ranging from 1.7 to 141.2 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1, with −1.3 to 66.7 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1 (−0.04 to 2.3 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1) and 0.05 to 112.0 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 (0.015 to 33.4 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1). N2O emission factors (EFs) ranged from 0.01 to 4.1 %. Incorporation of crop residues or manure with inorganic fertilizers invariably resulted in significant changes in GHG emissions, but results were inconsistent as the magnitude and direction of changes were differed by gas. Soil GHG emissions from vegetable gardens ranged from 73.3 to 132.0 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 and 53.4 to 177.6 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 (15.9 to 52.9 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1) and N2O EFs ranged from 3 to 4 %. Soil CO2 and N2O emissions from agroforestry were 38.6 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 and 0.2 to 26.7 kg N2O ha−1 yr−1 (0.06 to 8.0 Mg CO2 eq. ha−1 yr−1), respectively. Improving fallow with nitrogen (N)-fixing trees led to increased CO2 and N2O emissions compared to conventional croplands. The type and quality of plant residue in the fallow is an important control on how CO2 and N2O emissions are affected. Throughout agricultural lands, N2O emissions slowly increased with N inputs below 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and increased exponentially with N application rates up to 300 kg N ha−1 yr−1. The lowest yield-scaled N2O emissions were reported with N application rates ranging between 100 and 150 kg N ha−1. Overall, total CO2 eq. emissions from SSA natural ecosystems and agricultural lands were 56.9 ± 12.7 × 109 Mg CO2 eq. yr−1 with natural ecosystems and agricultural lands contributing 76.3 and 23.7 %, respectively. Additional GHG emission measurements are urgently required to reduce uncertainty on annual GHG emissions from the different land uses and identify major control factors and mitigation options for low-emission development. A common strategy for addressing this data gap may include identifying priorities for data acquisition, utilizing appropriate technologies, and involving international networks and collaboration.

Climate-smart livestock production at landscape level in Kenya

Mitigating Curtailment and Carbon Emissions through Load Migration between Data Centers

Objective: This study examines environmentally friendly behaviors and dietary habits of households in Saphansung District, Bangkok, aiming to identify key factors influencing sustainable practices and to assess household-level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Theoretical Framework: Grounded in sustainable consumption and production theories, the research emphasizes behavioral change, environmental awareness, and institutional roles in promoting pro-environmental practices. It explicitly incorporates the SDG framework, focusing on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Method: A sample of 395 households was selected from a population of 35,840 using Yamane’s formula at a 95% confidence level. Data were collected in October 2019 through a structured questionnaire covering demographics, energy and water use, environmentally friendly behaviors, and community factors. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and factor analysis. Results and Discussion: Detached homes recorded the highest levels of consumption and GHG emissions. Occupation, income, and education significantly influenced environmentally friendly behaviors. Five key drivers were identified: knowledge enhancement, resource conservation, institutional roles, waste management, and environmental communication. Research Implications: The findings emphasize the importance of household interventions, community engagement, government policies, and private sector participation in promoting sustainable consumption and reducing emissions, thereby advancing progress toward the SDGs. Originality/Value: This study offers new empirical evidence on household environmental behaviors in a suburban Bangkok community, highlighting multi-level collaboration as a key mechanism for fostering sustainable urban living and informing practical policy and community initiatives.

Smallholder farmers struggle to achieve food security in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is urgently required to find appropriate practices for enhancing crop production while avoiding large increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in SSA. This review aims to identify common smallholder farming practices for enhancing crop production, to assess how these affect GHG emissions and to identify strategies that not only enhance crop production but also mitigate GHG emissions in SSA. To increase crop production and ensure food security, smallholder farmers usually expand agricultural land, develop water harvesting and irrigation techniques and increase cropping intensity and fertilizer use. These practices may result in changing carbon stocks and GHG emissions, potentially creating trade-offs between food security and GHG mitigation. Agricultural land expansion at the expense of forests is the most dominant source of GHG emissions in SSA. While water harvesting and irrigation can increase soil organic carbon, they can trigger GHG emissions. Increasing cropping intensity can enhance the decomposition of soil organic matter, thus releasing carbon dioxide. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer use can enhance soil organic carbon, but also leads to increasing nitrous oxide emissions. An integrated land, water and nutrient management strategy is necessary to enhance crop production and mitigate GHG emissions. Among the most relevant strategies found, agroforesty practices in degraded and marginal lands could replace expanding agricultural croplands. In addition, water management, via adequate rainwater harvesting and irrigation techniques, together with appropriate nutrient management should be considered. Therefore, a land-water-nutrient nexus (LWNN) approach will enable an integrated and sustainable solution to increasing crop production and mitigating GHG emissions. Various technical, economic and policy barriers hinder implementing the LWNN approach on the ground, but these may be overcome through developing appropriate technologies, disseminating them through farmer to farmer approaches and developing specific policies to address smallholder land tenure issues and motivate long-term investment.

A framework for assessing the effects of shock events on livestock and environment in sub-Saharan Africa: The COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Kenya

Energy-related activities are a major contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A growing body of knowledge clearly depicts the links between human activities and climate change. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil and other human activities has released carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other heat-trapping GHG emissions into the atmosphere and thus increased the concentration of atmospheric CO2 emissions. The main human activities that emit CO2 emissions are (1) the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity, accounting for about 37% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 31% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2013, (2) the combustion of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel to transport people and goods, accounting for about 31% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 26% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2013, and (3) industrial processes such as the production and consumption of minerals and chemicals, accounting for about 15% of total U.S. CO2 emissions and 12% of total ...

This article examines the sustainability of biogas digesters for household adoption as a renewable energy solution while simultaneously providing organic fertilizer for agricultural use. Despite advancements in energy technology, households and communities continue to face challenges in accessing this technology due to limited infrastructure. Moreover, the International Energy Agency forecasts a 32% growth in the biogas sector in the coming years. The increasing demand and escalating costs of fossil fuels in recent years have drawn significant attention. In the United Kingdom, any alternative energy source that is both accessible and affordable presents a much-needed solution for households facing energy insecurity. A Biogas digester is a system used to produce biogas from organic waste from households or animals; the energy produced is for cooking, electricity, heating, and other applications. At the same time, the waste or by-product can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve the soil conditions. Biogas lowers greenhouse gas emissions, thereby protecting the environment. Biogas is, therefore, a means of managing organic waste and producing clean and renewable energy solutions for households. Our environment is characterized by deposits and patches of organic waste from households in different towns and cities that serve as excellent raw materials for biogas digesters. This research is necessary to find alternative energy to fossil fuels that are accessible and affordable. The biogas digester consists of a 200-liter plastic drum to represent the digester tank, pipes, gas collection unit, and valves. A medium-scale biogas digester was constructed using kitchen organic waste along with animal (cow dung) waste as substrates, and its performance was evaluated over 60 days. The biogas digester produced 250 liters of gas per kilogram of organic waste, with a methane content of 59%. Consequently, the slurry produced from the waste as a by-product was further dried and was rich in nutrients, making it an organic fertilizer suitable alternative to chemical fertilizers. The discoveries highlight the economic and environmental advantages of biogas digesters; although the high cost of initial setup and maintenance requirements pose a great challenge, it can be overcome by an increase in technical capacity building and policy support, which will encourage wide use of biogas digesters in our homes, villages, and communities as sustainable energy solutions.

Problem statement: The Malaysian oil palm industry is an important industry to the nation. In 2009 alone the total export earnings reached RM 49.6 billion. The industry is under constant attack of its performance from the perspective of the environment, especially with regard to its Green House Gas (GHG) Emissions. Being an export orientated industry; this issue has to be tackled head on to quantify the GHG emissions of the oil palm industry. Approach: About 12 palm oil mills were selected for this gate to gate case study. Inventory data which consisted of raw material, energy usage and gaseous emissions were collected from the selected palm oil mills over a period of 3 years. A comparative study was conducted to compare the GHG emissions of the production of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) with and without allocation and biogas capture. GHG emissions from all sources are summed up and changed into units of CO2 equivalent (CO2 eq) which is used to standardize GHG emissions. Results: The main parameter causing the highest contribution to the GHG emissions within this system boundary is the biogas from the anaerobic treatment of the POME. When biogas is captured, the total GHG emission drops significantly. This shows the urgency and need for the palm oil mills to capture their biogas and use it as renewable energy. Conclusion: Less than 10% of the palm oil mills capture their biogas because the palm oil mills have excess energy from their biomass itself and to invest in a large sum of money to harvest the biogas will mean that they will need the infrastructure to use or sell the harvested biogas. Currently, the industry is moving towards either harnessing biogas from POME or producing value-added products such as fertilizer from POME which avoids methane generation. This move is visible with the gradual annual increase in the number of palm oil mills capturing their biogas.

This research investigates the integration of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for optimizing feedstock combinations in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. The study employs a multi-layered model incorporating machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and reinforcement learning (RL) to enhance fuel conversion efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and lower production costs. Initial data collection from diverse sources, including AWS Data Exchange, Elsevier's Data API, and NASA AIRS, informs the model's development. Key machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest and Support Vector Machines (SVM) are utilized to predict energy yield and emissions, while CNNs and RNNs analyze complex relationships and time-series data for feedstock availability. The RL component dynamically optimizes feedstock blends in real-time, significantly improving operational efficiency. The model demonstrates an increase in energy output by 15-20%, a reduction in production costs by 15-25%, and a decrease in GHG emissions by 10-15%. The findings highlight the potential of AI-driven approaches to transform SAF production, ensuring both economic viability and environmental sustainability. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable energy solutions and offers a scalable framework for future biofuel optimization efforts.

Renewable energy sources (RESs) play an indispensable role in sustainable advancement by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nevertheless, due to the shortcomings of RESs, an energy mix with RESs is required to support the baseload and to avoid the effects of RES variability. Fossil fuel-based thermal generators (FFTGs), like diesel generators, have been used with RESs to support the baseload. However, using FFTGs with RESs is not a good option to reduce GHG emissions. Hence, the small-scale nuclear power plant (NPPs), such as the micro-modular reactor (MMR), have become a modern alternative to FFTGs. In this paper, the authors have investigated five different hybrid energy systems (HES) with combined heat and power (CHP), named ‘conventional small-scale fossil fuel-based thermal energy system,’ ‘small-scale stand-alone RESs-based energy system,’ ‘conventional small-scale fossil fuel-based thermal and RESs-based HES,’ ‘small-scale stand-alone nuclear energy system,’ and ‘nuclear-renewable micro hybrid energy system (N-R MHES),’ respectively, in terms of net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE), and GHG emissions. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to identify the impact of the different variables on the systems. The results reveal that the N-R MHES could be the most suitable scheme for decarbonization and sustainable energy solutions.