Renewable energy generation from livestock waste for a sustainable circular economy in Bangladesh

Abstract

In a developing country like Bangladesh, there exists research gaps on the long-term trend, regional variation, potential renewable energy use from livestock wastes in the urban areas as a means for circular economy adoption, associated climate change mitigation benefits, and policy regime analysis. This study investigates the (i) pattern and regional variation in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the livestock sector, (ii) climate change mitigation benefits of circular economy-based resource consumption from livestock waste-based renewable biogas use in the urban areas of Bangladesh, and (iii) policies and measures driving the renewable energy generation from livestock wastes. This research employed standard GHG emission quantification model, and scenario analysis. Between 1996 and 2016, the GHG emissions of Bangladesh's livestock sector increased from 20.54 to 26.55 million of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2eq). The business as usual (BAU) scenario exhibits 2.37 times growth from 26.55 Mt CO2eq in 2016 to 62.96 Mt CO2eq in 2050. In the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) substitution scenario, GHG emissions fall to 37.56 Mt CO2eq by 2050. A combination of all the renewable energy use measures can result in a drop of 37.5% GHG emissions compared to the BAU level. The study observed that promoting the biogas generation from livestock wastes through commercial biogas generation is currently absent in Bangladesh. Most of the existing financial schemes and subsidy programs are dedicated to the household level. The outcome is supportive to enhance renewable energy use in urban areas of Bangladesh and other countries alike thinking to promote the circular economy.