The third series of the South-South Biogas Community (SSBC) webinar presents a discussion about nature-based solutions for integrating renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, known as Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). This webinar was guided by a moderator involving three panelists, namely Nisa Usman, Jackson Abuli, and Andre Susanto. This webinar, which was held in two languages (Bahasa-English), involved participants from various countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Netherlands, Uganda, and Kenya.

Nature Based Solution projects involve a holistic approach in promoting livelihoods through complementary activities to ensure that local communities are empowered and capable of maintaining the ecosystem beyond the project timeline collaborating with company partners in various industries such as food and beverage, textile, cosmetics, and many others. When working with company partners, it is essential to be aware of their sustainability goals, including the Science-Based Targets (SBT) initiative, which helps companies set specific short and long-term climate reduction commitments that focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation. The two nature-based products that SSBC will be the main focus in this webinar are biogas and bio-slurry. Biogas is seen as a crucial solution for reducing the use of fossil fuels in energy production and agricultural processes while bio–slurry can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. However, there are logistical challenges in terms of getting spare parts for biogas, and utilizing emerging technologies within the trend of organic farming.

Nisa is currently a Program Manager at PUR, where she manages and coordinates the implementation of nature-based solutions programs to support clients achieving sustainability goals. Nisa emphasized the importance of community engagement and building strong relationships to strive for the success of nature-based solutions projects.

” Nature Based Solution is any efforts, initiatives, interventions, or project that tries to absorb carbon from the atmosphere or reduce carbon to be emitted to the atmosphere through many different natural solutions.”

Jackson Abuli has worked in the public sector for over ten years and champions the cause of farming communities in Kenya, where he holds a degree in Agriculture and a Master’s in Integrated Soil Management. Jackson discussed the need for scaling up biogas infrastructure in Africa, specifically in terms of biogas components, repairs, facilitation, and technicians. He noted that biogas is a promising solution for African communities as well as its integration with organic farming and fertilizers which can enhance sustainable agriculture.

“Biogas and Bio-slurry aid in methane emission reduction and in manure management increasing carbon credits and avoid emissions.”

Andre Susanto is the co-founder of PT. Pupuk Suburkan Negeri, which focuses on the production and use of bio-slurry, an organic fertilizer derived from biogas byproduct. Andre closed the discussion by emphasizing the circular nature of our economy and the importance to maximize the use of waste to energy and matter value chain to combat climate change.

“If we don’t use things including energy in the most efficient way, climate change is going to happen because we’re using too much and we’re wasting a lot of things that doesn’t need to be wasted.”