Integrated Circular Economy Transformations (ICET)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/140559

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Financing the circular bioeconomy: a win-win for climate mitigation and adaptation
(Report, 2024-12-30) Bodach, Susanne; Somorin, Tosin; Drechsel, Pay; Taron, Avinandan
Climate change and resource scarcity pose critical global challenges that demand innovative solutions. Circular bioeconomy provides a transformative framework for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing climate adaptation. By applying circular principles, biowaste and wastewater are converted into valuable resources, reducing emissions across sectors such as agriculture and energy, while promoting sustainable practices such as nutrient recovery, biogas generation and safe wastewater reuse. These approaches address water scarcity, reduce reliance on fossil-based inputs, and improve environmental resilience. Financing mechanisms such as international climate funds, carbon credits and climate bonds are pivotal in scaling circular bioeconomy solutions, while enabling policies and capacity building empower stakeholders to drive implementation. The adoption of circular bioeconomy offers a path toward sustainable development, fostering a resilient and resource-efficient future.
Greywater use for food security in refugee camps: a guidance note for risk management
(Brief, 2024-12-30) Drechsel, Pay
Report on the monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact assessment (MELIA) of the circular bioeconomy innovation hub in Ghana
(Brief, 2024-12-20) Amoah, P; Drechsel, Pay
The Circular BioEconomy Innovation Hub was launched in mid-2023 to create awareness and offer training and research opportunities on proper waste management and recycling for a circular economy and environmental protection. The report provides a first MELIA assessment of the ongoing setup of the Hub in Ghana with special reference to its first major activity, a school awareness program for so far over 12500 students. The report is based on mutually agreed progress indicators. Key learning areas (including challenges and possible solutions to address these) are being flagged and discussed.
Circular bioeconomy for sustainable resource management and livelihood improvement in Ethiopia
(Conference Paper, 2024-09-11) Bodach, Susanne; Alegbeleye, Oluwadara; Taron, Avinandan; Hagos, Fitsum
Ethiopia faces a growing challenge of balancing natural resource utilisation with long-term sustainability. Its linear economic model leads to unsustainable waste generation from agriculture, urban populations, and the industry sectors. This paper explores the potential of a circular bioeconomy (CBE) as a solution. By promoting closed-loop systems that minimise waste and maximise resource use, CBE offers a pathway for Ethiopia to achieve sustainable resource management, economic growth, and better livelihood opportunities. CBE business models create valuable products such as organic fertiliser, biochar, bioenergy, and alternative proteins. CBE practices provide new income opportunities for farmers and urban dwellers and reduce the country’s reliance on virgin resources, chemical fertiliser, and non-renewable energy while addressing environmental pollution and soil depletion. Major organic waste streams in Ethiopia that could be recovered and reused include agricultural crop residues, animal manure, human excrement, and industrial sludge. Addressing the vast untapped potential of resource recovery from waste, this study analyses opportunities and challenges associated with promoting CBE in Ethiopia, focusing on analysing the regulatory framework, business licensing and registration procedure, government support, access to finance, and business support services. The paper employs a comprehensive desk review of peer-reviewed literature complemented by grey literature to capture recent trends or non-traditional research aspects. Semi-structured interviews with sector experts were conducted to fill information gaps. Key findings of this study are that a robust regulatory framework, streamlined business registration, and access to finance are critical for creating an enabling investment climate for CBE. Government support, business networks, and support services can empower CBE ventures and contribute to sustainable resource management. By focusing on policy interventions that combine sustainable waste management and livelihood creation, CBE can significantly contribute to achieving a more sustainable development path for all Ethiopians.
Resource recovery from livestock waste: a compilation of business cases from the Global South
(Report, 2024-11-11) Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Singha, Rajdeep; Agide, Zeleke; Peña, G.; Ruiz-Bastidas, R. C.; Taron, Avinandan; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier
Market conditions for circular bioeconomy in emerging economies
(Report, 2024-11-06) Taron, Avinandan; Bhandarkar, Supriya; Bodach, Susanne; Gebrezgabher, Solomie
8Rs for circular water and sanitation systems: leveraging circular economy thinking for safe, resilient and inclusive services
(Journal Article, 2024-12) Carrard, N.; Kumar, A.; Dao, D. V.; Kohlitz, J.; Retamal, M.; Taron, Avinandan; Neemia, N.; Willetts, J.
To achieve their normative health, environmental and social objectives, water and sanitation services must be safely managed, inclusive and climate resilient. Meeting these imperatives presents a need and opportunity for innovative thinking about water and sanitation service systems. Circular economy concepts are being applied across a multitude of product and service sectors with the aim to facilitate regenerative flows of resources. Given the dependence on water resources, associated climate risks, and the generation of reusable waste products in water and sanitation service delivery, circular economy concepts can be usefully leveraged to drive sustainability outcomes. This article contributes a heuristic in the form of a conceptual framework for applying circular economy concepts in the design and delivery of water and sanitation services in diverse Global South contexts. The framework seeks to drive multiple outcomes relevant to water and sanitation initiatives: safely managed services, social inclusion, and climate resilience. Co-developed by an international research team applying a theoretical multiplicity approach and collaborative sensemaking, the heuristic takes the form of a suite of eight adapted circular economy ‘R strategies’ for water and sanitation. The R strategies were selected and articulated to reflect theory-based principles of circular economy, climate resilience and inclusion. They are intended to prompt thinking and action in pursuit of safely managed, climate resilient, inclusive water and sanitation services that align with the broader sustainability directions that circular economy narratives aspire to. The heuristic offers a conceptually rigorous, practical tool that can support collaborative, deliberative processes to realise the potential benefits of circularity in water and sanitation service systems.
Informal irrigated vegetable value chains in urban Ghana: potential to improve food safety through changing stakeholder practices
(Journal Article, 2024-10) Galibourg, David; Amankwaa, E. F.; Gough, K. V.; Scott, R.
Contaminated vegetables grown and consumed in cities of the global South have adverse public health consequences. Through interviews with farmers, traders, consumers and institutional representatives, this article explores why stakeholders in the irrigated vegetable value chain in Accra continue unsafe practices. The multi-stakeholder data are analysed by combining a behavioural model with a framework of complex stakeholder interactions. Arguably, a systemic approach would help meet stakeholders’ opportunity, capability and motivation needs and actualise current efforts to promote safe practices. Findings indicate the need for all stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of each other’s practices and co-design flexible arrangements that better integrate their diverse rationales, knowledge and constraints. Improving hygiene and food safety from farm to fork requires political commitment that accounts for land tenure insecurity and the high cost of safe water.
Water at the forefront of one health in Ethiopia
(Blog Post, 2024-10-21) Mateo-Sagasta, Javier ; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Beza, Habtamu Mulat
In Ethiopia, where the Blue Nile begins its journey, water is not just a resource—it’s a lifeline. It nourishes crops, quenches thirst and sustains livelihoods. But until recently, water was notably absent from the nation’s One Health planning and committees, where human, animal, and environmental health converge to address complex health challenges. That is until Ethiopia’s Water Champions stepped forward to ensure that water takes its rightful place at the center of One Health.
Regulations drive circular bioeconomy in emerging economies, but further action is required
(Brief, 2024-09-27) Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Taron, Avinandan; Drechsel, Pay; Gebrezgabher, Solomie
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from organic waste is a key pillar in advancing the circular bioeconomy. In the Global South, efforts have primarily focused on waste management regulations, with varying enforcement in these countries. These have focused mainly on human and environmental health without considering waste as a resource. For a genuine shift towards a circular bioeconomy, regulations must evolve to ensure environmental safety, promote resource recovery, and foster private sector engagement. This can be achieved through targeted policies, subsidies, financial incentives, and the development of public-private partnerships that open new market opportunities. Countries like Singapore, Brazil, China, Japan, South Korea, Ghana, and South Africa are leading the way with forward-thinking regulatory frameworks. These nations have built robust ecosystems by empowering statutory agencies to oversee waste management, engaging the private sector, and implementing financial mechanisms to support reuse and recovery. These innovative models are setting a precedent for successful circular bioeconomy implementation. Policymakers should take note of these approaches to craft impactful strategies that drive sustainable economic growth while addressing environmental challenges.
Water reuse for resilience: using scientific evidence for water reuse inclusive policy formulation in Lebanon
(Brief, 2024-09-18) Al-Zu’bi, Maha; Tawfik, Mohamed; Brouziyne, Youssef; Moussallem, M.
Reusing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation is a key strategy to build resilience in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particularly in Lebanon. As Lebanon faces a widening gap in water supply and demand, its agricultural sector is increasingly at risk. The country's 2024 National Water Sector Strategy identifies water reuse as one part of the solution to this crisis. However, despite years of investment in water and sanitation, Lebanon still lacks the necessary infrastructure, policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional support. The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) plays a pivotal role in bridging science and policy, offering technical expertise to Lebanese counterparts through the CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa (F2R-CWANA). IWMI’s efforts focus on developing Lebanon's first tailor-made water reuse standards for agriculture, which are crucial for addressing water scarcity and enhancing food security. While IWMI provides guidance, the responsibility for endorsing and adopting these standards lies with Lebanon’s national regulatory agencies and government authorities. Establishing these standards is critical for ensuring water security and sustainable agriculture, particularly given the region’s environmental challenges. This policy brief outlines key recommendations for integrating treated wastewater into Lebanon's Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus: (1) safeguarding environmental and public health, (2) implementing robust monitoring and evaluation processes, (3) creating business incentives, (4) ensuring inclusive design and implementation, and (5) formulating science-based public policies.
Urban food systems profile: Sri Lanka
(Report, 2024-09-02) Ramamoorthi, Dushiya; Drechsel, Pay
The most populated (urban) area in Sri Lanka is its Western Province with Colombo, Sri Lanka’s commercial capital. This “Megapolis” depends for its food supply significantly on different geographical areas of Sri Lanka. These foodsheds differ by commodity. Peri-urban agriculture plays a minor role and until very recently, urban farming did not get (institutional) attention, although the role of both, urban and peri-urban agriculture is mentioned in the national agricultural policy. The policy also calls for the identification and strengthening of city region food system (CRFS) to better link rural and urban communities, also in view of climate shocks and other disasters. The need for this became clear during the Covid-19 epidemic and subsequent economic crisis of the country when the Colombo Municipal Council started actively to support urban food production.
Urban food systems profile: Ghana
(Report, 2024-09-02) Amoah, Philip; Drechsel, Pay
Over the last thirty years, Ghana’s population in towns and cities has more than tripled, from 4 million to nearly 14 million, exceeding growth in the rural areas. In fact, rural-urban migration is an important factor for urban growth. It is estimated that the urban population will reach over 70% by 2050, calling for fast and sustainable strategies for facilitating the main challenges deriving from rapid urbanization including urban food security and food system resilience against shocks. Several projects mapped urban foodsheds and the overall extent of specific city-region food systems. But not only food quantity, also food safety is at stake. A particular challenge for the farmers is widespread water pollution in urban area resulting in the contamination of irrigated vegetables. The largely informal nature of irrigated urban vegetable farming as well as the street food sector makes it difficult to regulate, promote or control compliance with food safety measures which are needed from farm to fork.
Advancing ambient water quality monitoring and management through citizen science in low- and middle-income countries
(Journal Article, 2024-10-01) Castro, Jose; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Nowicki, S.
In contexts where conventional environmental monitoring has historically been limited, citizen science (CS) for monitoring efforts can be an effective approach for decentralized data generation that also raises scientific literacy and environmental awareness. To that end, the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) is considering citizen science (CS) as a mechanism for producing ambient water quality data to track progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 6.3.2: "proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality". However, the alignment of SDG 6.3.2 monitoring requirements with citizen science capacity and results in low- or middle-income countries has not been assessed. Through a systematic literature review of 49 journal publications, complemented by 15 key informant interviews, this article examines the methods and outputs of CS programs in resource-constrained settings. We explore the potential of these programs to contribute to tracking SDG 6.3.2. Using the Citizen Science Impact Assessment Framework (CSIAF), we evaluate broader outcomes of CS programs across 5 domains: society, economy, environment, governance, and science and technology. Despite large variability in scope, CS programs were consistently found to generate useful data for national-level reporting on physicochemical and ecological parameters; however, data quality is a concern for CS measurement of microbiological parameters. The focus in literature to-date is predominantly on scientific data production which falls only within the 'science and technology' outcome domain. Societal, governance, economic, and environmental outcomes are infrequently evaluated. Of the studies reviewed in this article, 75% identified some form of pollution but only 22% of them reported follow-up actions such as reporting to authorities. While CS has important potential, work is still needed towards the 'formalization' of CS, particularly if intended for more vulnerable contexts.
Assessing the investment climate to promote a circular bioeconomy: a comparison of 15 countries in the Global South
(Report, 2024-08-29) Taron, Avinandan; Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Malviya, T.; Bodach, Susanne; Muthuswamy, S.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie
Transitioning towards a circular economy requires investments in new businesses and for this, a supportive environment and business models that can attract private entities are needed. Operating in countries where the enabling factors are minimal or weak proves extremely challenging for private enterprises. The present cross-country study tried to assess the investment climate for promoting a circular bioeconomy, i.e., businesses or public-private partnerships based on organic (municipal) waste. The main indicators used for the assessment are existing regulatory frameworks; business climate and associated procedures; governance in provision of infrastructure; incentives; access to finance; and entrepreneurial ecosystems. While most of the countries analyzed indicated evidence of regulations on waste management and policies related to promoting circularity, the divide is mainly on aspects related to business environments, access to finance and governance. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index and Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) indicate that Southeast Asian and Latin American countries are better positioned than most other Asian and African countries. National economies are challenged by these barriers that need to be addressed to foster the widespread adoption of a more circular bioeconomy.
Market demand for and producer profits of certified safe cabbage: evidence from test sales in traditional food markets in Northern Ghana
(Journal Article, 2024-11) Lowenstein, W.; Wetzel, C.; Mustapha, I.; Drechsel, Pay; Abubakari, A.-H.
Vendors in traditional urban food markets in West Africa offer locally produced vegetables. These may be unsafe, carrying pathogens and posing potential risks to consumers’ health; or safe, being free from pathogens. Safe produce is rarely differentiated from unsafe produce through certification or price differentiation. Consequently, there is no market data on consumers’ actual payments for certified safe vegetables. Therefore, we aimed to find out whether there is a demand for certified safe vegetables and whether such safety certification is profitable for small-scale farmers. Previous studies have used experiments to elicit price premia consumers’ state to be willing to pay. In contrast, we offered pathogen-free cabbage certified as safe on traditional food markets in Tamale, Ghana, and observed what consumers actually paid. We noted consumer’s actual purchases, who – at the same market stalls – chose between ordinary cabbage of unknown safety status and certified safe cabbage, which carried a price premium to be paid in addition to the price of ordinary cabbage. Our results show that 176 consumers purchased certified safe cabbage and 123 bought ordinary cabbage during the test sales. Consumers’ probability to buy certified safe cabbage is explained by the size of the price premium charged, households’ characteristics and perceptions of local production modes. Estimating customers’ demand function for certified safe cabbage revealed that a pioneer farmer should charge a monopolistic price premium of GHS 1.48 (+46 % on top of the average price for ordinary cabbage valid during the test sales) to maximise the profits from introducing certified safe cabbage into the market. We find that the most promising certification option is for groups of geographically concentrated farmers to jointly apply for safe vegetable certification.
Effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to reduce the risk of faecal contamination in urban irrigated vegetable value chains – applying the COM-B behavioural framework
(Journal Article, 2024-08-01) Galibourg, D.; Scott, R. E.; Gough, K. V.; Drechsel, Pay; Evans, B. E.
In low- and middle-income countries, inadequate sanitation results in faecal contamination of the water used by urban farmers for irrigation. Consumers of raw contaminated vegetables run the risk of developing diarrhoeal diseases and helminth infections, which are a leading cause of under-five mortality and impact the well-being and productivity of millions of adults. This review identifies the evidence base for assessing which factors determine the success and/or failure of interventions that aim to manage the risk of faecal contamination in the urban irrigated vegetable value chain. We carried out a systematic search of the literature from the perspective of the COM-B behaviour framework (Capability þ Opportunity þ Motivation ¼ Behaviour). Our results reveal that most interventions address stakeholders’ opportunity or capability to adopt safe practices without adequately considering their motivation. Interventions often focus on one sector rather than on the whole value chain (sanitation, agriculture, trade, consumption). To effectively change hygiene and food safety practices in the urban irrigated vegetable value chain, stakeholders’ intrinsic motivations need to be identified. Where WHO’s multi-barrier approach is the best option, we recommend building on local multistakeholder platforms and adopting a behaviour change framework to support the largely technical change from farm to fork.
The challenge of supporting and monitoring safe wastewater use in agriculture in LMIC
(Journal Article, 2024-07-23) Drechsel, Pay; Bartram, J.; Qadir, M.; Medlicott, K. O.
Unsafe water reuse in the informal irrigation sector dominates in the Global South and requires more attention to protect food safety and public health. Promoting formal wastewater use in conjunction with (usually constrained) investment in treatment capacities is not sufficient in LMIC. New approaches and indicators are needed across the formal and informal reuse sectors to increase food safety and monitor progress on safe reuse. Current reuse guidelines need to be updated with greater attention to policy, regulations, investments, and behavior change for a higher implementation potential.
Exploring recent significant catalytic systems for the conversion of glucose into bio-based chemicals: a concise review
(Journal Article, 2024-09) Dharmapriya, Thakshila Nadeeshani; Huang, P.-J.
Background: Renewable alternatives for bio-chemical production have gained significant attention. Glucose, as the most abundant monosaccharide globally, has emerged as a pivotal substrate in this pursuit. Consequently, the processes of glucose isomerization into fructose and glucose dehydration into 5-HMF have garnered substantial interest. 5-HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural) serves as a platform chemical, enabling the synthesis of valuable biobased compounds, while fructose stands out as a promising precursor for 5-HMF formation. Method: Employing a comprehensive literature review methodology, this paper examines recent advancements in catalytic systems for the conversion of glucose on two primary processes: glucose isomerization into fructose and glucose dehydration into 5-HMF. Significant Findings: This concise review centers on the use of amines as organic base catalysts for glucose isomerization, leading to high selectivity for fructose. It compares the yield and selectivity of fructose achieved with various homogeneous and heterogeneous amine catalysts. Furthermore, it highlights the growing interest in the MIL-101 series of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for direct glucose dehydration into 5-HMF, comparing the yield and selectivity of 5-HMF attained. This review serves as a guide for future researchers in biomass valorization, offering insights into recent advancements in catalysts for enhanced chemical production efficiency.
Black soldier fly farming for feed and biofertilizer: a practical guide
(Training Material, 2024-02-28) Adamtey, Noah; Badu, E.; Ayimba, N.; Kimathi, F.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie
The aim of this guide is to facilitate the utilization of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) as an alternative protein and fertilizer source, contributing to employment generation and poverty reduction. It is designed to support farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Extension Agents, and other stakeholders in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in BSF farming as a viable business opportunity. Serving as an all-encompassing guide, it systematically outlines the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind each stage of the BSF production cycle, starting from initial startup (point zero) to the successful harvesting phase. The manual also delves into the science of BSF farming, elucidates the steps for establishment, covers best practices, and provides insights into potential challenges within the production chain, along with strategies for ensuring the sustainability of the BSF enterprise.

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