In many African countries, access to electricity and modern energy fuels remains a significant concern. Over 570 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack electricity, and only 18% have access to modern cooking fuels. The region faces immense challenges, including massive debts, lack of maintenance, and system failures, underscoring the urgent need for investment in the energy sector's transition. Africa's overreliance on fossil fuels and the growing demand for energy, driven by economic expansion and population growth, could lead to sharp increases in greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, urbanization, economic activities, and rising living standards are increasing waste production, making waste management a pressing issue. The absence of adequate waste treatment technologies, financing, and regulatory frameworks exacerbates this challenge. Biomass remains a predominant energy source in Sub-Saharan Africa, often used in its raw state, leading to health hazards from incomplete combustion. However, the continent's abundant agricultural residues and other energetic wastes offer a significant opportunity. These can be transformed into various energy carriers, helping to meet or supplement Africa's energy and fuel needs. The current situation presents a unique opportunity for Africa to shift from a fossil-based economy to a sustainable green economy. Leveraging technology, knowledge, and skills can support this rapid transition and drive economic growth. Innovations in Circular Economy and Renewable Energy highlights current advancements in waste management, biomass utilization for energy, and innovations in green hydrogen production in Africa. This book showcases predominantly African research and insights first presented at the "First International Conference on Circular Economy, Renewable Energy, and Green Hydrogen" in Kumasi, Ghana, in September 2023. Dive into this essential resource to explore transformative waste-to-energy technologies, the hybridization and flexibilization of renewable energy systems, and the path towards a sustainable future for Africa.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the technologies and processes involved in renewable energy generation, with a specific focus on their role in improving the circular economy. It offers all the necessary information and tools to help readers select the most sustainable renewable energy solution for different conditions. Exploring real-life examples, the book delves into the practical applications of the circular economy in the renewable energy sector. It takes a multi-faceted approach, examining the circular economy from various perspectives and incorporating methods such as lifecycle assessment, sustainability assessment, multi-criteria decision-making, and multi-objective optimization modes. Furthermore, the book explores the concept of blockchain, hybrid renewable energy models, technologies, and implementation. It also investigates the critical factors and key enablers that influence sustainable development in this field. By doing so, it not only facilitates the transition to a circular economy but also highlights the shift in recent research, trends, and attitudes towards a more scientifically grounded approach. The primary objective of this book is to compile research specifically focused on the circular economy in renewable energy. By providing researchers and policymakers in the energy sector with the necessary scientific methodology and metrics, it enables the development of strategies for a sustainable transition. This book serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of energy planning and the current and future trends of biofuel as an alternative fuel.

This book presents the advantages of the circular economy as a powerful - and inevitable - model for tackling the current challenges against shrinking resources and establishing the resource efficient economy. The experienced contributors present the status and strategies of circular economy implementation in several countries with hands on experience to protect the environment while promoting the circular economy through legislative requirements, best practices adopted and popularizing the idea of circulation of resources amongst the researchers & academia, policy makers, industry, and the general public at large. The book advocates model that consists of designing products and processes with a view to endlessly recycling them evolving a greater scope of sustainable development.

This book explores the role of renewable energy sources in driving sustainable development, with a focus on their circular use in achieving environmental efficiency and an energy balance. The authors highlights the significance of renewable energy in reducing costs for producers and consumers while also ensuring the production of clean energy that can be integrated seamlessly into the national power grid without compromising reliability or energy security. Readers are introduced to the circular economy model and its importance in the context of renewable energy. The book sheds light on the challenges associated with transitioning to alternative energy systems, particularly in cases where not all resources can be fully circulated. Through the research presented in this book, stakeholders will gain insights into how the sustainable renewable energy supply chain can be adapted within the circular economy. This will have a synergistic effect in reducing carbon emissions, and also aid in the production of renewable energy equipment.

The circular economy is a policy approach and business strategy that aims to improve resource productivity, promote sustainable consumption and production and reduce environmental impacts. This book examines the relevance of the circular economy in the context of developing countries, something which to date is little understood. This volume highlights examples of circular economy practices in developing country contexts in relation to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), informal sector recycling and national policy approaches. It examines a broad range of case studies, including Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, and Thailand, and illustrates how the circular economy can be used as a new lens and possible solution to cross-cutting development issues of pollution and waste, employment, health, urbanisation and green industrialisation. In addition to more technical and policy oriented contributions, the book also critically discusses existing narratives and pathways of the circular economy in the global North and South, and how these differ or possibly even conflict with each other. Finally, the book critically examines under what conditions the circular economy will be able to reduce global inequalities and promote human development in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Presenting a unique social sciences perspective on the circular economy discourse, this book is relevant to students and scholars studying sustainability in economics, business studies, environmental politics and development studies.

This open access book presents the proceedings of the 2nd Africa-EU Renewable Energy Research and Innovation Symposium (RERIS 18), held in Maseru, Lesotho in January 2018. The symposium aimed to foster research cooperation on renewable energy between Africa and Europe – in academia, as well as the private and public sectors. Addressing thematic areas such as • Grid-connected renewable energy; • Decentralised renewable and household energy solutions; • Energy socioeconomics; and • Promotion of energy research, innovation, education and entrepreneurship, the book brings together contributions from academics and practitioners from the EU and Africa to enable mutual learning and knowledge transfer – a key factor in boosting sustainable development in the African renewable energy market. It also plays a significant role in promoting African renewable energy research, which helps to secure energy supply in both rural and urban areas and to increase generation capacities and energy system resilience. This book is an invaluable resource for academics and professionals across the renewable energy spectrum.

Bringing together conceptual, theoretical and evidence-based contributions from a diverse set of experts, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of energy in Africa, from a management perspective. Taking a closer look at the global energy environment and security in developing areas of the region, the authors discuss the significance of energy policy to the socio-economic growth of the continent. This important book tackles the challenge of ensuring sustainability in Africa and focuses on both fossil fuels and renewable energy. Essential reading for researchers interested in energy management, sustainability, and energy policy, this noteworthy collection of interdisciplinary contributions provides examples of effective energy management in Africa.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges of the twenty-first century that requires innovative and varied solutions. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, this book brings together interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder perspectives exploring challenges and opportunities for utilising digital innovations to manage and accelerate the transition to a circular plastic economy (CPE). This book is organised into three sections bringing together discussion of environmental conditions, operational dimensions and country case studies of digital transformation towards the circular plastic economy. It explores the environment for digitisation in the circular economy, bringing together perspectives from practitioners in academia, innovation, policy, civil society and government agencies. The book also highlights specific country case studies in relation to the development and implementation of different innovative ideas to drive the circular plastic economy across the three sub-Saharan African regions. Finally, the book interrogates the policy dimensions and practitioner perspectives towards a digitally enabled circular plastic economy. Written for a wide range of readers across academia, policy and practice, including researchers, students, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), digital entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and multilateral agencies, policymakers and public officials, this book offers unique insights into complex, multilayered issues relating to the production and management of plastic waste and highlights how digital innovations can drive the transition to the circular plastic economy in Africa. The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

Technological Pathways for Africa's Net-Zero Economy: Technology Solutions to Unlock Africa's Sustainable Future explores the potential of African countries to transition towards a net-zero economy. It highlights sustainable development challenges and opportunities Africa faces and provides insights on technological pathways toward this goal. The book emphasizes the importance of harnessing renewable energy resources, promoting green innovation, and building resilient infrastructure for a sustainable future. It calls for strong policy frameworks and international collaboration to support African countries in their transition. The book outlines seven scenarios supporting Africa's technological paths to a net-zero economy: leapfrogging, hybridization, adaptation, decentralization, sustainable development, promotion, and finance.These scenarios aim to adopt innovative technologies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in education and capacity-building programs is crucial for African countries to effectively implement sustainable energy solutions, so the book also highlights the role of education and awareness in fostering a culture of sustainability among African communities and empowering them to actively participate in climate action initiatives. - Takes into account the unique socioeconomic and environmental context of Africa, which is crucial for developing tailored strategies and solutions that are suitable for the continent - Offers practical insights and recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to navigate the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a sustainable future - Highlights successful case studies from other regions that can serve as inspiration and learning points for Africa's journey towards a net-zero economy