The Role of Biomass Briquettes in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
The concept of sustainable development has emerged as a major policy goal for countries across the world in the quest for policies that support economic development, social equity, and sustainability. To attain these goals, the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, which are to be met by the year 2030. Among these are the production and usage of biomass briquettes, which have been considered to have a great contribution to these goals. In this blog, the author discussed how biomass briquettes help meet sustainable development goals when it comes to energy, poverty, and the environment.
Clean Energy for All
The most important of the sustainable development goals is to achieve universal and affordable access to clean and efficient energy. Biomass briquettes are essential for realizing this goal, as they are an affordable and sustainable source of energy. Unlike other fossil fuels that are limited in supply and pollute the environment, biomass briquettes are developed from renewable resources such as agricultural residues. This makes them a sustainable source of energy that can help meet the increasing energy needs of both the developed and developing regions.
As mentioned earlier, biomass briquettes have a high calorific value which implies that they yield much energy per unit of fuel. This makes them suitable for many uses such as in industrial boilers, domestic heating, and power generation among others. Thus, an increased application of biomass briquettes can help decrease the dependence on fossil fuels, thereby enhancing the energy mix.
Furthermore, the use of biomass briquettes contributes to energy security since it promotes the use of an additional source of energy. Several nations, particularly the oil-importing ones, have some issues with energy supply instability and unpredictable prices. The use of biomass briquettes can thus help these countries improve their energy security and availability for the population.
Reducing Poverty and Promoting Economic Growth
Another important SDG is to eradicate extreme poverty, which is measured as those living on less than $1. 25 a day. The use of biomass briquettes and their production has several impacts on poverty reduction and economic development. First of all, biomass briquettes provide job opportunities, especially for the rural areas where agricultural waste is harvested. They also get extra cash by selling residues such as corn cobs and cotton stalks which are used in the making of briquettes. This further propels economic growth and fosters the utilization of proper farming techniques.
Moreover, biomass briquette production has the benefit of contributing to the development of local economies through employment opportunities in collection, processing, and distribution. This can result in higher income levels and better standards of living in rural areas. Since the consumption of renewable energy is on the rise, the biomass briquette industry can create even more employment opportunities thus accelerating economic development.
Another element of poverty reduction is the cost of biomass briquettes. Conventional sources of energy may be costly and beyond the reach of many families or are mainly found in developing nations. These biomass briquettes are cheaper in the market and can therefore be used for domestic uses such as cooking and heating. This can help in eradicating energy poverty which is common among low-income earners thus enhancing the quality of their lives.
Fostering Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is one of the focal areas of the SDGs to promote the conservation of the environment and the efficient use of natural resources. Biomass briquettes are environmentally friendly in the following ways. Firstly, they contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. While fossil fuels emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, biomass briquettes are CO2-neutral. The CO2 that is produced by their combustion is balanced by the amount of CO2 that the plants take from the air during their growth.
Another benefit of biomass briquettes is that they help in minimizing waste and pollution. Crop residues that are left to rot in the fields or those that are burnt result in ecological pollution and waste of resources. Some of the biomass briquette manufacturers like Dodheshwar Biofuels use agricultural waste and convert it into these residues to produce briquettes thus minimizing pollution.
In addition, biomass briquettes generate less ash than other conventional sources of fuel. Cleaner burning of the coal due to its lower ash content means that there are reduced emissions of particulate matter into the atmosphere hence better air quality. This is especially relevant in areas that have high levels of air pollution, as biomass briquettes can assist in reducing health impacts caused by polluted air.
Biomass briquettes are a powerful tool in the pursuit of sustainable development goals. Their role in providing clean energy, reducing poverty, and fostering environmental sustainability highlights their potential to drive positive change on a global scale. As the demand for renewable energy continues to grow, biomass briquettes offer a viable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuels.