Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness

by Johnson, Francis X.; Seebaluck, vikram

• ISBN13: 9781849711036
• ISBN10: 1849711038
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-18
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Growing concerns about the impacts of climate change and dependence on fossil fuels have intensified interest in bioenergy from sugar cane and other crops, highlighting important linkages between energy, environment and development goals. This book focuses on Southern and Eastern Africa as regions with high potential for sugar cane and other energy crops. As regions characterised by severe poverty, the possibility to exploit a renewable energy resource offers valuable avenues for sustainable development and could support a more dynamic and competitive economy. It is shown that the bioenergy expansion will improve rural livelihoods, reduce costly energy imports, reduce GHG emissions, and offer new development paths. Drawing on international experience, particularly from Brazil and India, it is shown that harnessing this bioenergy and biomass potential will require significant increases in investment, technology transfer, and international cooperation. Because of its high efficiency, the authors argue that sugar cane should be viewed as a global resource for sustainable development and should command much greater focus and concerted policy action. Sugar cane is among the biomass resources that can avoid conflict with food security. Through an analysis of the agronomy and processing of sugar cane, economics and environmental impact, the chapters demonstrate that it offers a competitive and environmentally beneficial resource that can help to facilitate food and energy security within continuing economic development.