EUBCE 2024 - Progress KASHANDULA - Using Biomass Value Chains to Control Large-Scale Bush Encroachment and Maintain the Long-Term Sustainability of the Bush Savanna Ecosystem in Namibia.

Using Biomass Value Chains to Control Large-Scale Bush Encroachment and Maintain the Long-Term Sustainability of the Bush Savanna Ecosystem in Namibia.

Short Introductive summary

Biomass is playing an increasingly important role in the decarbonization and defossilization of the economy. However, the use of biomass is increasingly being questioned due to its dual role as a carbon sink and carbon source. However, the Namibian biomass industry, which is based on large-scale bush encroachment, shows that the use of bush biomass can lead to a reconciliation of economic with ecological and social requirements. Taking into account the positive environmental, economic and social impacts of using the encroacher bush for different biomass value chains, initial calculations have shown that the use of bush biomass is economically viable. Finally, the CO2 released during biomass processing can be captured and liquefied in a climate-neutral way to replace fossil CO2 in industrial processes and thus achieve CO2-negative production. With the rapid growth of the biomass sector, the policy framework has also evolved and strengthened the position of the biomass industry to utilize the encroacher bush in a controlled and certified framework to restore the savannah and ensure sustainable biomass use in the long term.

D. Virchow, N-BiG - The Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Windhoek, NAMIBIA
P. Kashandula, N-BiG - The Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Windhoek, NAMIBIA
E. Andreas, N-BiG - The Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Windhoek, NAMIBIA
D. Shagama, N-BiG - The Namibia Biomass Industry Group, Windhoek, NAMIBIA