Socioeconomic sustainability of bioenergy exploitation in Uganda: A GBEP-indicator narrative review
The socioeconomic implications of bioenergy exploitation in Uganda have not been sufficiently assessed through comprehensive frameworks, such as the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) sustainability indicators. Existing studies are fragmented and primarily sector-specific, which limits the identifi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/3051 |
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| Summary: | The socioeconomic implications of bioenergy exploitation in Uganda have not been sufficiently assessed through comprehensive frameworks, such as the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) sustainability indicators. Existing studies are fragmented and primarily sector-specific, which limits the identification of cross-cutting challenges and constrains evidence-based policymaking. This study applies, for the first time in Uganda, a comprehensive set of GBEP socioeconomic indicators through a structured narrative review organized into seven thematic do-mains. The analysis focused on three dominant bioenergy pathways: firewood, charcoal, and organic residues/ waste, which define Uganda’s bioenergy landscape. Relevant publications were selected based on their alignment with the selected indicators and bioenergy pathways in Uganda. Despite the scarcity of empirical data, partic-ularly in peer-reviewed sources, the review demonstrates clear trends. Traditional bioenergy contributes significantly to employment and national energy access, while also presenting persistent gender disparities and environmental risks. Transitioning to modern bioenergy systems may exacerbate land tenure disputes and food security concerns. However, the sector holds notable untapped potential: bioenergy-based power generation has reached 112 MW, with an estimated capacity of 1.65 GW, and energy from residues and waste remains underutilized at 737.7 PJ/year. Key research priorities emerging from this assessment include cookstove per-formance metrics, the bioenergy–food nexus, human capital development, charcoal substitution strategies, and energy diversification. The findings not only underscore the novelty of applying GBEP comprehensively in Uganda but also provide actionable insights for policy aimed at balancing energy access, livelihoods, and sustainability. |
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