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Bioenergy for Sustainable Development and International Competitiveness: The Role of Sugar Cane in Africa
Author(s): Francis X. Johnson (Editor), Vikram Seebaluck
- Publisher: Routledge
- Publication Date: 9 Mar. 2012
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 472 pages
- ISBN-10: 1849711038
- ISBN-13: 9781849711036
Book Description
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 links between energy, environment and development goals. Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized 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. This book describes how the bioenergy expansion will improve rural livelihoods, reduce costly energy imports, reduce GHG emissions, and offer new development paths.
Drawing on international experience, it is shown that harnessing this 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. Through an analysis of the agronomy, land suitability and industrial processing of sugar cane and its co-products, along with an assessment of the energy, economic and environmental implications, this volume demonstrates that sugar cane offers a competitive and environmentally beneficial resource for Africa’s economic development and energy security.
With forty-four authors representing thirty organisations in sixteen countries, the book offers a truly international and interdisciplinary perspective by combining technical and economic principles with social, political and environmental assessment and policy analysis.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“I have read this book with interest and appreciation. It provides an interesting international and interdisciplinary perspective on the potential of bioenergy, and in particular of bioethanol, from sugarcane for Africa, through the combination of technical and economic considerations with social, political and environmental assessment and policy analysis. I believe that this book is a useful contribution to the potential of bioenergy in Africa for practitioners, policy-makers and the general public.” – José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
“Africa brings key assets to global bioenergy development and wants to be an active partner but also needs to insure bioenergy’s contribution to critical human needs. As Africa moves in 2012 to adopt its first continent-wide policy framework for sustainable bioenergy, this book can help to articulate pathways for Africa to realize its role as a future world leader in bioenergy.” – Professor W.H. (Emile) van Zyl, Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
”Addax Bioenergy believes bioenergy presents a huge opportunity to kick-start Africa’s neglected agricultural and energy sectors through foreign investment, transfer of agricultural knowledge and industry know-how, as well as application of best practices and international trade opportunities. Many parts of Africa offer suitable climate and soils for sugarcane ethanol, making it a location of choice for developing sustainable bioenergy projects. This book underlines what we believe in as a company and highlights the important benefits and potential impacts of this important energy crop and the potential it has for sustainable development and bioenergy in developing countries.” – Nikolai Germann, Managing Director, Addax Bioenergy.
“This book provides in-depth analysis of the role of bioenergy from various sources and from sugarcane in particular, which not only highlights the potential of these sources but also elaborates on policies and technologies for realizing it. This book would have great value for scientists, technologists, policy makers and the public at large, because on the basis of knowledge that it has assembled, societies would be able to develop a roadmap for an expanded future for bioenergy.” – Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director-General, TERI and Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“Bioenergy from sugarcane offers a valuable agro-industrial development opportunity for the many African countries that have suitable and available lands. They can expand a domestic resource and improve energy access while also contributing to energy security and climate change goals at national, regional and global levels. Through an interdisciplinary approach and a complementary mix of African and international experts and practitioners, this book provides useful guidance for policy makers, analysts and investors interested in developing this important renewable resource.” – Kandeh K. Yumkella, Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
About the Author
Francis X. Johnson is Senior Research Fellow at Stockholm Environment Institute and visiting researcher in the Energy and Climate Studies Division at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.
Vikram Seebaluck is Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Mauritius. His research areas include process systems analysis and energy efficiency in the sugarcane industry, bioenergy systems and co-products analysis, and energy for sustainable development.
