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Using the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) Sustainability Indicators, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) project “Building capacity for enhancing bioenergy sustainability through the use of Global Bioenergy Partnership Indicators” assessed the environmental, social and economic impacts of bioenergy production in Ethiopia and Kenya, and presented ways in which the bioenergy sector could become more sustainable.

The 24 GBEP indicators, developed in a collaborative process led by FAO, and in use since 2011, guide any analysis of bioenergy at the domestic level, with a view to informing decision making and facilitating the sustainable development of bioenergy.

“These findings help improve our overall knowledge and understanding about Ethiopia’s bioenergy sector and serve as a starting point to improve the sustainability of this sector and support the design of effective sustainable bioenergy policies as part of low-carbon development strategies,” said Fikadu Beyene, Commissioner of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in Ethiopia.

Africa is moving more and more towards renewable energy, with consistent efforts and investments, but biomass remains the single most important energy source for most households and some industries.

This high dependence on biomass has several drawbacks: deforestation, degradation of soil quality and reduced biodiversity. Biomass for heating, for instance, is largely used by industries and schools, and its use in households is responsible of indoor air pollution which, according to WHO, kills 4 million people every year .

Supported by the International Climate Initiative the UNEP project provided technical assistance to government officials and experts in Ethiopia and Kenya to carry out an assessment of the sustainability of their bioenergy sectors and to build their capacity for long-term, periodic monitoring.

Enhancing bioenergy use in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, where biomass energy sources account for 91 percent of final energy consumption and for 98 percent of energy consumption in the residential sector, the project examined the development of biogas and sustainable solid biomass (firewood and charcoal) production to understand how it can contribute to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals as well as to national development policies, such as the Climate Resilience Green Economy Strategy.

Prioritizing two bioenergy pathways in Kenya

A large share of Kenya’s final energy consumption comes from biomass that supplies more than 90 per cent of rural household energy needs. 43 million people rely on the traditional use of biomass for cooking in the country.

The project helped to assess the current and future potential of the country’s bioenergy sector focusing on two main pathways: the use of sugarcane bagasse briquettes residues by the tea industry and charcoal production from forests, woodlands and farmlands for use by households.

“The project outcomes give a better understanding of the environment, social and economic impacts of bioenergy use, and helps to sustainably manage this important national resource in Kenya,” said Charles Mutai, Director, Climate Change Directorate in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.

The projects’ results are available in National summary reports (ET | KE), and complemented with detailed Technical reports (ET | KE).