Publications

This document summarises the systematisation of the project “Sustainable Biofuel Value Chain Development in an Existing African Oil Palm Plantation”, executed by SNV, WWF and HONDUPALMA, from October 2007 to March 2009, in El Negrito, Yoro, Honduras.

This document presents basic information about biogas technology in the form of Biogas Digest Volume 4. The document contains 19 sections on different countries and regions. They are respectively:
• Biogas technology in Bangladesh
• Biogas technology in Belize
• Biogas technology in Bolivia (region Chochabamba)
• Biogas technology in Burundi
• Biogas technology in China (Sichuan)
• Biogas technology in Columbia
• Biogas technology in India
• Biogas technology in Orissa (India)
• Biogas technology in Sangli (India)
• Biogas technology in the Ivory Coast (region of Korhogo)
• Biogas technology in Jamaica
• Biogas technology on Java (province of Central Java)
• Biogas technology in Kenya
• Biogas technology in Morocco (region of Souss-Massa)
• Biogas technology in Nepal
• Biogas technology in Tanzania
• Biogas technology in Thailand
• Biogas technology in Tunisia (Sejenane, El Kef)
• Biogas technology in Vietnam

Esta historia destaca los desafíos de la deforestación y el cambio climático en el sur de Honduras y el impacto que ha tenido un proyecto innovador liderado por SNV Honduras y financiado por CORDAID y DANIDA para reforestar el área con Jatropha (piñón). Los resultados se ven no solamente en la mejora de las tierras previamente degredadas, sino también en la generación de ingresos para pequeños productores y en la reducción de gases de efecto invernadero a través de la producción de biocombustibles.   

This document summarises the systematisation of the project “Sustainable Biofuel Value Chain Development in an Existing African Oil Palm Plantation”, executed by SNV, WWF and HONDUPALMA, from October 2007 to March 2009, in El Negrito, Yoro, Honduras.

The purpose of the systemisation was to analyse the process followed in the design and implementation of the project and to identify the factors and key elements of: i) best agricultural practices (BAP) in production of African oil palm; ii) cleaner production (CP) in oil extraction and production plant; iii) bio-gas recovery project for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), in order to replicate and enlarge this experience at national and regional levels so as to share the lessons learnt throughout the process.

• The first section presents a summary of the methodological process followed to carry out the systematisation of the project;
• The second section makes reference to the context in which it was developed;
• The initial vision project (concepts, objectives, expected results, central themes, methodology and participants) is described in the third section;
• The fourth section deals with the formulation, formalisation and execution of the process, focusing on three main subjects: Cleaner Production (CP),
• Best Agricultural Practices (BAP), and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and one cross cutting subject: Business Model with a Value Chain Focus;
• Finally, the document includes the lessons learnt from the phases and the main subjects of the project, from which recommendations were derived to improve the implementation of the planned activities and achievements.

This story relates the challenges of deforestation and climate change in Southern Honduras and the impact that an innovate project led by SNV Honduras and financed by CORDAID and DANIDA has achieved in reforesting the area with Jatropha. The project has achieved results not only in improving previously degraded lands, but also through generating income for small holder farmers and contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions through producing biofuels. 

This document summarises the systematisation of the project “Sustainable Biofuel Value Chain Development in an Existing African Oil Palm Plantation”, executed by SNV, WWF and HONDUPALMA, from October 2007 to March 2009, in El Negrito, Yoro, Honduras.

The purpose of the systemisation was to analyse the process followed in the design and implementation of the project and to identify the factors and key elements of: i) best agricultural practices (BAP) in production of African oil palm; ii) cleaner production (CP) in oil extraction and production plant; iii) bio-gas recovery project for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), in order to replicate and enlarge this experience at national and regional levels so as to share the lessons learnt throughout the process.

• The first section presents a summary of the methodological process followed to carry out the systematisation of the project;
• The second section makes reference to the context in which it was developed;
• The initial vision project (concepts, objectives, expected results, central themes, methodology and participants) is described in the third section;
• The fourth section deals with the formulation, formalisation and execution of the process, focusing on three main subjects: Cleaner Production (CP), Best Agricultural Practices (BAP), and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and one cross cutting subject: Business Model with a Value Chain Focus;
• Finally, the document includes the lessons learnt from the phases and the main subjects of the project, from which recommendations were derived to improve the implementation of the planned activities and achievements.

This study assesses the potential and constraints faced by biofuels in Nicaragua, generating a critical base of information that facilitates and supports the decision making around a national policy, implementation of a Plan of Action, the appropriate Law and Standards to promote investment and boost productivity and development of biofuels, within the framework of food security, environmental sustainability and within an Inclusive Business model to facilitate capacity building in rural communities that may be linked to biofuel production.

This has been an effort by the Government of National Reconciliation and Unity of the Republic of Nicaragua, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and SNV Netherlands Development Organization (SNV). The analysis of the regulatory framework focuses on analyzing the existing opportunities and constraints the development of biofuel investments. It explicitly promotes energy production from renewable sources. Regarding the regulatory framework, but no major obstacles for developing the studied agro-energy, is still at an early stage. However, it highlights the need to develop legal institutions in the sector.

This study assesses the potential and constraints faced by biofuels in Nicaragua, generating a critical base of information that facilitates and supports the decision making around a national policy, implementation of a Plan of Action, the appropriate Law and Standards to promote investment and boost productivity and development of biofuels, within the framework of food security, environmental sustainability and within an Inclusive Business model to facilitate capacity building in rural communities that may be linked to biofuel production.

This has been an effort by the Government of National Reconciliation and Unity of the Republic of Nicaragua, through the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and SNV Netherlands Development Organization (SNV). The analysis of the regulatory framework focuses on analyzing the existing opportunities and constraints the development of biofuel investments. It explicitly promotes energy production from renewable sources. Regarding the regulatory framework, but no major obstacles for developing the studied agro-energy, is still at an early stage. However, it highlights the need to develop legal institutions in the sector.

This publication compares the biofuels legislation in Latin America. It focuses on:

• Definition of biofuels;
• Authorities for the application of the laws;
• Duties of the enforcement authority;
• Blending of biofuels with fossil fuels;
• Procedure for mixing and distribution;
• Promotional arrangements and tax benefits;
• Promoting the use of biofuels;
• Priority sectors and approach;
• Environmental sustainability;
• Offences and penalties.

The report ends with clear conclusions.

Climate change is one of the urgent environmental problems faces the world, especially in developing countries like Honduras. The impact of climate changes has varying degrees in terms of socioeconomic and natural systems and therefore present a danger to the poorest sectors that depend on their environment and natural means of subsistence living. To achieve the emissions reduction targets, developing countries can make use of flexibility mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

In an effort to combat the effects of Climate Change Programme, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and SNV, with support from the Secretariat Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA), made available this scoping study, evaluation and opportunities of the CDM sector in Honduras. The main objective is to strengthen the positioning of Honduras on the issue of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and the use of CDM development projects in the carbon market, also further optimization the capacity of the public and private sectors to access the carbon market and institutional strengthening on issues relating to procedures. This research is presented as a baseline study, mainly built on the results of a participatory process including stakeholders from different institutions related to CDM in Honduras.

During a national workshop in Bolivia, on the 16thof February 2012 respectively, preliminary results were presented of a feasibility study conducted for a national biodigester programme in this country. Significant lessons were learned evaluating former projects, for example, the absence of a market-based approach and the lack of follow-up in general (e.g. capacity building, technical assistance, monitoring, evaluation and R&D), confirming the importance of a comprehensive approach in formulating and rolling out a national biodigester programme. 

Participants of the workshop include representatives from government bodies, private sector companies, financial institutions, universities, research institutes, NGOs and international cooperation. They extensively discussed the findings of the feasibility studies, agreeing on the main conclusions and demonstrating that sufficient institutional capacity is present to develop a national biodigester programme in Bolivia. 

To adopt a sustainable market-based approach, it was concluded that crucial support functions need to be developed. Capacity building, technical assistance, quality control and research and development were all identified, among others, as necessary programme functions, while the importance of standardised, validated technologies was stressed. At the same time, the overall low investment capacity and/or access to credit facilities for rural households in Bolivia is limited, particularly in the Andean region. This calls for area specific intervention strategies with differentiated subsidy levels in order to reduce investment barriers and promote the application of renewable energy.

During a national workshop in Peru, on the 15th of February 2012 respectively, preliminary results were presented of a feasibility study conducted for a national biodigester programme in this country. Significant lessons were learned evaluating former projects, for example, the absence of a market-based approach and the lack of follow-up in general (e.g. capacity building, technical assistance, monitoring, evaluation and R&D), confirming the importance of a comprehensive approach in formulating and rolling out a national biodigester programme.

Participants of the workshop include representatives from government bodies, private sector companies, financial institutions, universities, research institutes, NGOs and international cooperation. They extensively discussed the findings of the feasibility studies, agreeing on the main conclusions and demonstrating that sufficient institutional capacity is present to develop a national biodigester programme in Peru.

To adopt a sustainable market-based approach, it was concluded that crucial support functions need to be developed. Capacity building, technical assistance, quality control and research and development were all identified, among others, as necessary programme functions, while the importance of standardised, validated technologies was stressed. At the same time, the overall low investment capacity and/or access to credit facilities for rural households in Peru is limited, particularly in the Andean region. This calls for area specific intervention strategies with differentiated subsidy levels in order to reduce investment barriers and promote the application of renewable energy.

Este informe presenta los resultados de un estudio de factibilidad para un Programa Nacional de Biodigestores familiares en Perú. Los biodigestores a nivel doméstico buscan la introducción del uso de biogás en zonas rurales, como una fuente alternativa y limpia para la cocción de alimentos en reemplazo de la leña, mientras que el sub producto del biol sirve para incrementar la productividad para así aumentar los ingresos de pequeños agricultores rurales. Con el lanzamiento de un Programa Nacional de Biodigestores, construyéndose a partir de las experiencias ya presentes en el país, se busca alcanzar la escala necesaria y el desarrollo de un sector con un enfoque basado en el mercado, asegurando la sostenibilidad del mismo. Este estudio se ha llevado a cabo a petición de Hivos y fue ejecutado por SNV en alianza con Soluciones Prácticas.

Este informe presenta los resultados de un estudio de factibilidad para un Programa Nacional de Biodigestores familiares en Bolivia. Los biodigestores a nivel doméstico buscan la introducción del uso de biogás en zonas rurales, como una fuente alternativa y limpia para la cocción de alimentos 

en reemplazo de la leña, mientras que el sub producto del biol sirve para incrementar la productividad para así aumentar los ingresos de pequeños agricultores rurales. Con el lanzamiento de un Programa Nacional de Biodigestores, construyéndose a partir de las experiencias ya presentes en el país, se busca alcanzar la escala necesaria y el desarrollo de un sector con un enfoque basado en el mercado, asegurando la sostenibilidad del mismo. Este estudio se ha llevado a cabo a petición de Hivos y fue ejecutado por SNV en alianza con Soluciones Prácticas y el Centre Internacional de Mètodes Numèrics en Enginyeria (CIMNE, España), este último con una larga experiencia en biodigestores a nivel doméstico en Bolivia.