Circular bioeconomy potential and challenges within an African context: From theory to practice

Ncube, Amos; Sadondo, Phineas; Makhanda, Raymond; Mabika, Charles; Beinisch, Natalie; Cocker, J.; Gwenzi, Willis; Ulgiati, Sérgio

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133068

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…Thus, further study is required to give reliable inventories of the various feedstocks and their attributes at the national level. Therefore, a more comprehensive strategy covering the following several bioeconomy value-chain features is needed for Africa's circular bioeconomy [13].…”

Section: Circular Bioeconomy In African Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa

Leela,

Wening,

Kusrini

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Africa has much potential to spearhead the shift to a bio-based economy because of its high biodiversity and abundant natural resources. This article analysed the potential and current use and development of bioenergy as a basis for developing an integrated and sustainable bioenergy system to realize a circular bio-economy on the African continent. Current approaches involve utilizing biomass resources, including agricultural waste, forest residues, and energy crops, to produce clean and environmentally friendly bioenergy. Combining advanced technologies, such as thermal and biochemical conversion processes, increases bioenergy production efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. In addition to ecological benefits, these measures also expand economic opportunities in agriculture and related industries. However, the most significant challenges are appropriate regulatory policies, adequate supporting infrastructure, and access to financing. Furthermore, this article discusses integrating bioenergy systems with other sectors in the circular economy, including waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the biochemical industry. Additionally, the theoretical and strategic frameworks supporting the establishment of sustainable bioenergy systems in Africa are described in this paper, providing in-depth insights into the opportunities and challenges in this field and emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in achieving a circular Bioeconomy with positive environmental and economic impacts.

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Section: Circular Bioeconomy In African Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa

Leela,

Wening,

Kusrini

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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“…The circular economy seeks to replace unsustainable forms of waste management (for example, landfills or incineration) with systems that are as closed as possible in reducing litter and reusing, recycling and recovering post-consumer products (Arsova et al, 2022). Although circularity has been interpreted and applied very differently within and between national contexts (Ncube et al, 2022;Rótolo et al, 2022), at its core, it rests on three principles of eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems (Ellen Macarthur Foundation, 2021). Introduced as a sustainable business model, it has been taken up by corporations and governments alike as a lucrative opportunity to turn the crisis of marine plastic pollution into potential profit (Mah, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Closing the loop or widening the gap? The unequal politics of Thailand's circular economy in addressing marine plastic pollution

Marks

Miller

Vassanadumrongdee

2023

Journal of Cleaner Production

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“…The bioeconomy is a global priority to create alternative raw materials and products to oil based products, with its signi cance also recognized by EU Green Deal as well as the African Union (Ncube et al 2022). However, most bioeconomy-related documents pertaining to sub-Saharan Africa prioritize agriculture over the forest-based bioeconomy (Rosa and Martius 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small-scale plantation forestry and actor’s inclusiveness in decision making on tax regimes

Tumaini,

Mustalahti,

Maro

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Globally, forest-based bioeconomy is expected to create alternative raw material and products to oil based products. Small-scale tree growers have become increasingly important producers of timber and other forest products. Small-scale plantation forestry has been accounting for an increasing share of the national timber supply since the beginning of the 2000s, especially in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Our research findings expose several inconsistencies in locally implemented tax rules in timber trade, which may discourage further investments in tree planting and timber trade. Further, our empirical data shows how government agencies control the decision-making process on taxes, levies, and charges. The concerns related to small-scale investments and timber trade are not recognized within decision making: Small- scale non-state actors may be consulted for comments, but the taxation authorities retain control over the final decisions and do not openly share information. One-sided decision-making leads to lack of actors’ inclusion and disappointment in financial performance. In addition, distrust between local level actors connected to small-scale forestry, where small-scale forest owners do not seek to engage with development as a process of social change, has created marginal and subordinate groups in plantation forestry. Based on our study in Tanzania, we conclude that the inclusion of the forest owners to the decision-making process for determining these taxes is needed not as form of discrete technocratic interventions but as underlying process of social change and potential home for democratic structures.

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Circular bioeconomy potential and challenges within an African context: From theory to practice

Cited by 23 publications

References 50 publications

Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa

Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa

Closing the loop or widening the gap? The unequal politics of Thailand's circular economy in addressing marine plastic pollution

Small-scale plantation forestry and actor’s inclusiveness in decision making on tax regimes

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