Atelier WEFE-NEXUS in Western Africa (NOV 2017, Dakar, Senegal)

The present report outlines the findings of a scientific workshop organized by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in cooperation with two academic institutions of Senegal: the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar and the Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor. The event took place in mid-November 2017 in Dakar and was titled “WEFE Nexus approach for small-scale sustainable resources’ management and energy from agriculture organic waste in Western Africa”.

The objective of this Workshop was to exchange expertise and information, showcase experiences and to collect, discuss and analyse data on the role played by agricultural residues in satisfying local energy needs in a Water-Energy Food-Ecosystem approach and in the African context. Discussions covered a wide range of scientific topics and challenges, aiming at exploring the full range of the water-energy-foodecosystem (WEFE) complex interactions.

 

Accordingly, the following topics have been discussed and are analysed in the report:

– Water resources availability, management and uses;

– The water footprint of bioenergy in Africa;

– Renewable energy sources (RES) and their role in supporting energy access;

– Fuel wood and impacts (e.g. deforestation, soil);

– Energy use of residues (e.g. agriculture);

– Small scale biogas for household use;

– Analysis of technologies and feedstocks;

– Resource assessment (e.g. waste, residues etc.);

– Competitive uses of crop residues;

– Waste management and energy production;

– Waste-water treatment and energy production;

– Environmental impacts and water resources, water quality;

– Case studies;

– Support mechanisms, policy context.

This executive summary provides the reader with a brief outline of the main findings of the workshop and the participants’ views on the topics. It also provides the output of related research activities, conducted by the contributors. Each of the following paragraphs is related to one section of the report.