Biomass potential in arid and semi-arid regions in Botswana

Abstract

The development of new biomass energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change is opening new opportunities in Botswana. Cleaner technologies have increasingly led to the transformation of biomass into various bioenergy carriers for the use in modern energy systems that have lower GHG emissions. Whilst the use of biomass for energy purposes in rangelands has been as problematic as overgrazing, an increasing trend towards bush encroachment is observed in the dry-lands of southern Africa as a result of climate change. This chapter explores the potential of bioenergy development on arid lands in Botswana based on species associated with bush encroachment, invading species, and other potential energy sources such as oil plants. Bush encroachment and invasive species could be assessed for sustainable production of wood pellets either under management systems of the naturally occurring resources or by established plantations. Naturally occurring oil plants in Botswana such as Ximenia sp. are identified as potential sources for bioenergy production. Further research on the possibilities of using this plant species for bioenergy production is recommended.