The transition towards sustainable economies with improved resource efficiency is today’s challenge for all productive sectors. The dairy sector in Latin America is growing without considering a clear path for sustainable energy and waste management solutions. This study proposes integrated solutions through a waste-to-energy approach. The solutions consider biogas production (via cow manure) as the main energy conversion pathway; technology solutions include biodigesters, power generators, and combined heat and power systems that supply not only the energy services demanded by dairy farms (for cooking gas, electricity, refrigeration and hot water) but also provide organic fertilizers. Biogas’ potential was estimated to verify whether it can cover the energy demands of the farms, while the levelized costs of producing biogas and electricity were the indicators for the techno-economic evaluation of the solutions. Greenhouse gas emission reductions were estimated by following IPCC guidelines. Specifically, the proposed solutions lead to energy self-sufficiency in most dairy farms with relevant biogas and electricity costs in the range of 1.7–3.7 and 6–12 USD cents/kWh, respectively. In addition, implementing the proposed solutions in Latin American dairy farms would allow annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of 32.8 Mton CO2 eq. with an additional 17 Mton if widespread use of the supplied organic fertilizers is achieved.

Understanding the linkages between multiple targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may help to integrate different sectoral programmes and develop coherent cross-sectoral policy to explore synergies. Synergy is interaction among two or more actions, which will lead to an impact greater or less than the sum of individual effects. Therefore, synergy can be positive or negative (trade-off). This paper aims at developing an analytical framework to evaluate sectoral linkages and examine potential synergies and trade-offs among various SDGs' goals and targets. Synergies and trade-offs related to energy access (SDG7), clean water and sanitation access (SDG6), food security and sustainable agriculture (SDG2) and poverty alleviation (SDG1) have been evaluated from the perspective of developing countries using examples from South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and Sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda), and historical data for the period between 1990 and 2012. The analytical framework includes both qualitative and quantitative methods. Network analysis technique has been used for exploring the conceptual linkage among different indicators, and capturing the targets associated with SDGs. Advanced Sustainability Analysis (ASA) developed under the European framework programme has been used for quantifying the synergies and trade-offs among sustainability indicators. The analysis showed strong synergy among various SDG targets. Interestingly, the potential synergy differs from country to country and over time. Ghana and Sri Lanka had relatively higher potential synergy, whereas Rwanda and Nepal had relatively lower potential synergy among the various targets. Higher synergy values were evidenced in those cases where the policy have recognized and emphasized on linkages among cross-sectoral targets.

The ultimate goal of this paper is to explore ways to upgrade energy and water services in rural areas of Bangladesh while improving resource recovery. The study analyzes the potential of a poly-generation system using locally available biomass resources (cow dung and agriculture residue) for providing cooking energy, electricity, and drinking water to a rural community. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Pani Para village with 52 households to investigate demand patterns and estimate the resource potential and amount of biogas needed in the poly-generation system. A poly-generation system with 150 m3 biogas digester and a 10 kWe generator is required to meet cooking energy, electricity and water demand in the village. Co-digestion of available resources including cow dung and agriculture residues can provide 48,250 m3 biogas/year, which is sufficient to supply electricity and clean drinking water to all households in the village. In addition, around two thirds of the households can use biogas for cooking. The sensitivity analysis shows that if the amount of agriculture residues is increased by 15%, also cooking gas can be provided to all households. The results indicate that such integrated solutions are worth further exploration. 

Poultry activities have expanded significantly in Bangladesh in recent years. The litter generated from rural poultry farms is often dumped in low ground neighboring areas resulting in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as water and air pollution. This study estimates the GHG emissions of a typical rural layer poultry farm in Bangladesh, and identifies the GHG emissions reduction potential when poultry litter management techniques are used to produce biogas, generating electricity and bio-fertilizer. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) has been used for a systematic evaluation of GHG-emissions considering the local supply chain in a typical rural layer poultry farm. The analysis shows that the GHG-emissions at the poultry farm amount to 1735 KgCO_2eq/10000 eggs produced if the litter is untreated. With the installation of an anaerobic digester, the emission intensity could be reduced by 65% if the gas is used to replace LPG for cooking purposes. If 100% digested slurry is utilized as bio-fertilizer, the emissions intensity could be further reduced by 17 times compared to the case without slurry utilization. These results justify the consideration of national programs to improve conditions in poultry farms in Bangladesh. 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprises of 17 different goals with 169 targets. Understanding how these multiple targets and goals cut across different sectors and are linked may help to design and appraise common strategies and cross-sectoral policies towards integrated development programmes. This paper aims at developing a method for evaluating the synergies and trade-offs among various goals and targets within SDGs using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. We have analyzed synergy across four SDGs in developing countries, namely energy access (SDG 7), clean water and sanitation access (SDG 6), food security and sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) and poverty alleviation (SDG 1). These specific SDGs have been identified as priority areas in the Rio+20. Various targets related to the four SDGs have been analyzed in this paper with the use of indicators. Developing countries viz. Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka from South Asia and Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda from Africa have been chosen for the analysis. We analyze interactions among goals, and examine how the accomplishment of one target under a specific goal might help to attend multiple goals (mutually reinforcing or synergies), or how the accomplishment of targets under one specific goal might impact targets under another goal (imposing conditions or trade-offs). Network analysis technique has been used for exploring the conceptual linkage among these different indicators capturing the various targets associated with SDGs. Advanced Sustainability Analysis (ASA) approach developed under the European framework programme has been used for quantifying the synergy and trade-off among various SDGs. Based on the analysis, some coherent policy measures across energy, water/sanitation, food and poverty alleviation nexus are suggested.  

Nepal is a landlocked country with difficult geographical terrain and without fossil reserves. However, the country has been blessed with abundant renewable resources. All these facts have contributed to the advantages of renewable-energy-based decentralized rural electrification in Nepal. When making technological choices, the cost-effectiveness of the technologies must be considered. This study presents solar photovoltaic (PV) alternatives for rural electrification, considering off-grid solar PV for individual households and solar mini-grids for electrifying rural communities, and comparing them with the supply option with grid extension and electricity from a diesel generator for the case of Kyangshing village in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) production with these various alternatives is compared, along with the sensitivity analysis for some of the crucial input assumptions. Analysis has shown that a solar PV-based mini-grid system is the most cost-effective option for electrification in the village. The business model and operational and management model for such a solar PV-based mini-grid system have also been proposed for guaranteeing the sustainability of the system.

This paper introduces a method for evaluating the sustainability performance of energy technologies applied in rural electrification, using the multivariate technique called Principal component analysis (PCA).The sustainability is assessed in terms of energy technology sustainability index (ETSI). The ETSI has been used for assessing the sustainability performance of ten different energy systems in the case of India. Since this method is static in nature, the sustainability performance analysis is made for three different years (2005, 2010 and 2015) to capture technological advancements and changes in market conditions for the various technologies over time. The result shows that mature technologies such as biomass gasifiers, biogas and microhydro technologies have relatively better sustainability performance among the options analyzed. There is slight increment in their sustainability performance in the ten year period considered. Emerging technologies such as solar and wind have fairly good improvement in the sustainability performance over the studied time but still have difficulties competing with the mature technologies and conventional technologies without policy support. Analysis has been made with probable, minimum and maximum capital costs, operational and fuel costs to capture uncertainty among the input assumptions, and sensitivity has been reflected in the analysis of energy technology sustainability index (ETSI). This ETSI could help improve energy technology assessments, particularly when it comes to the feasibility of available alternatives.

Providing sustainable energy access is one of the most critical global challenges. This paper introduces a method for evaluating the status and progress of rural household energy sustainability in developing countries using a new composite indicator, the energy sustainability index (ESI). The ESI combines 13 techno-economic, environmental and social indicators of sustainability using principal component analysis (PCA). We apply the ES! to China, India, South Africa, Sri-Lanka, Bangladesh and Ghana between 1990 and 2010. The analysis suggests that South Africa's rural energy sustainability index is highest followed by China, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Ghana respectively. All the countries' rural energy sustainability has improved relatively over time except Ghana's. Improvements result mainly from increasing rural electricity use and increasing access to clean and efficient cooking fuels.

Access to modern and sustainable energy services is a real challenge for countries where the majority of rural population is living in austere poverty. The importance of sustainable energy access is recognized in many developing countries, and there is growing international development assistance in the sector. However the achievements are still meager particularly in Sub Saharan African countries. Most countries often fail to prioritize sustainable energy services at the local level as a means to achieve economic growth at the national level as well as the Millennium Development Goals. This study is focused on Ethiopia and investigates the existing challenges and future prospects of mainstreaming sustainable energy access into the development planning process of the country, and the implications this may have for international donor agencies, national policy makers, private actors and local energy planners. The paper analyzes the institutional framework, sector policy and financial mechanisms in the country. It also discusses operational modalities of state and non-state actors in the process, and extracts policy recommendations.

Access to electricity, clean energy, and safe drinking water services are genuine needs of the rural poor for their welfare. These needs can be addressed either individually or in an integrated approach. Biogas digesters are promising in the rural setting and integration of biogas production with power generation and water purification is an innovative concept that could be applied in remote areas of Bangladesh. This paper presents a new concept for integrated biogas based polygeneration and analyzes the techno-economic performance of the scheme for meeting the demand of electricity, cooking energy and safe drinking water of 30 households in a rural village of Bangladesh. The specific technologies chosen for the key energy conversion steps are as follows: plug-flow digester; internal combustion engine; and air-gap membrane distillation. Mass flows and energy balance, levelized cost of producing electricity, cooking gas and safe drinking water as well as the payback period of such a polygeneration system were analyzed. The results indicate that this polygeneration system is much more competitive and promising (in terms of levelized cost) than other available technologies when attempting to solve the energy and arsenic-related problems in Bangladesh. The payback period of such system is between 2.6 and 4 years.