of mass adoption of alternative energy options (Smeets et al. 2012) (Chap. 1 Vol. 1).
Under most scenarios, traditional biomass will still cater for most energy needs in
SSA in 2050 (IEA 2014). Given that this dependency on traditional biomass will
also remain a major sustainability challenge into the near-to-medium future,
improvements in household energy services would be a key part of the transition
towards sustainable bioenergy supply. However, through appropriate strategies and
policy interventions this trajectory could be altered to accelerate the transition to
modern energy systems and the transformation of rural economies (IRENA 2015).
This chapter aims to outline some of the critical aspects that can enable sustainable bioenergy transitions in SSA. In particular, it highlights four interlinked strategic aims related to the modernisation of biomass for energy (and other uses) that are
relevant for climate-compatible bioenergy development. These interlinked strategic
issues or aims are to (a) identify and strengthen positive linkages across the different
SDGs associated within modern bioenergy transitions in SSA (Sect. 2.2); (b) choose
the most appropriate markets and production modes for modern bioenergy (Sect.
2.3); (c) promote integrated landscape approaches for biomass and bioenergy feedstock production to improve resource efficiency and climate resilience, and at the
same time reduce land competition (Sect. 2.4); (d) foster synergies between climate
mitigation and adaptation (Sect. 2.5). Section 2.6 discusses these priorities in
connection to the policy implications and governance requirements for sustainable
bioenergy transitions across the continent.
2.2 Identify and Strengthen Positive SDG Inter-Linkages
in Bioenergy Transitions
Traditional bioenergy production and use have been linked to multiple sustainability
impacts such as forest degradation, GHG emissions, health, poverty, food security,
and gender inequality, to mention just a few (Karanja and Gasparatos 2019; Iiyama
et al. 2014; van de Ven et al. 2019) (Chap. 7 Vol. 1; Chap. 5 Vol. 2). As a result, the
heavy reliance of households in SSA on traditional biomass fuels can complicate the
achievement of many different sustainable development goals (SDGs) (Nerini et al.
2018; McCollum et al. 2018).
For example, poor and vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in
rural areas, spend considerable amount of time gathering fuelwood (Karanja and
Gasparatos 2019). Households also spend a significant portion of their income to
purchase traditional biomass fuels such as charcoal (Takama et al. 2012; Masera
et al. 2015). This has been linked with different direct and opportunity costs, as well
as energy poverty (Karanja and Gasparatos 2019). Furthermore, biomass dependence can affect cooking habits and dietary choices, which may further directly
affect household nutrition and food security (Sola et al. 2016). Indoor air pollution
from biomass fuel use is currently one of the leading risks for human health in SSA,
and has been linked to high mortality across the continent (Lim et al. 2012; Lakshmi
2 Enabling Sustainable Bioenergy Transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strategic. . .
55
Under most scenarios, traditional biomass will still cater for most energy needs in
SSA in 2050 (IEA 2014). Given that this dependency on traditional biomass will
also remain a major sustainability challenge into the near-to-medium future,
improvements in household energy services would be a key part of the transition
towards sustainable bioenergy supply. However, through appropriate strategies and
policy interventions this trajectory could be altered to accelerate the transition to
modern energy systems and the transformation of rural economies (IRENA 2015).
This chapter aims to outline some of the critical aspects that can enable sustainable bioenergy transitions in SSA. In particular, it highlights four interlinked strategic aims related to the modernisation of biomass for energy (and other uses) that are
relevant for climate-compatible bioenergy development. These interlinked strategic
issues or aims are to (a) identify and strengthen positive linkages across the different
SDGs associated within modern bioenergy transitions in SSA (Sect. 2.2); (b) choose
the most appropriate markets and production modes for modern bioenergy (Sect.
2.3); (c) promote integrated landscape approaches for biomass and bioenergy feedstock production to improve resource efficiency and climate resilience, and at the
same time reduce land competition (Sect. 2.4); (d) foster synergies between climate
mitigation and adaptation (Sect. 2.5). Section 2.6 discusses these priorities in
connection to the policy implications and governance requirements for sustainable
bioenergy transitions across the continent.
2.2 Identify and Strengthen Positive SDG Inter-Linkages
in Bioenergy Transitions
Traditional bioenergy production and use have been linked to multiple sustainability
impacts such as forest degradation, GHG emissions, health, poverty, food security,
and gender inequality, to mention just a few (Karanja and Gasparatos 2019; Iiyama
et al. 2014; van de Ven et al. 2019) (Chap. 7 Vol. 1; Chap. 5 Vol. 2). As a result, the
heavy reliance of households in SSA on traditional biomass fuels can complicate the
achievement of many different sustainable development goals (SDGs) (Nerini et al.
2018; McCollum et al. 2018).
For example, poor and vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in
rural areas, spend considerable amount of time gathering fuelwood (Karanja and
Gasparatos 2019). Households also spend a significant portion of their income to
purchase traditional biomass fuels such as charcoal (Takama et al. 2012; Masera
et al. 2015). This has been linked with different direct and opportunity costs, as well
as energy poverty (Karanja and Gasparatos 2019). Furthermore, biomass dependence can affect cooking habits and dietary choices, which may further directly
affect household nutrition and food security (Sola et al. 2016). Indoor air pollution
from biomass fuel use is currently one of the leading risks for human health in SSA,
and has been linked to high mortality across the continent (Lim et al. 2012; Lakshmi
2 Enabling Sustainable Bioenergy Transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strategic. . .
55