GABORONE, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Botswana plans to construct 750 small-scale biogas digesters nationwide by 2026, aiming to make a substantial contribution to reducing the carbon footprint in the energy sector, an official announced Tuesday.
"This development is a demonstration that Botswana is in full support of global transition to clean energy," said Lefoko Moagi, Botswana's minister of Minerals and Energy, when addressing councilors during a full council session in Francistown, the southern African country's second-largest city.
In November 2019, Botswana joined hands with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to launch a comprehensive biogas program. The primary use of biogas includes cooking, heating, and lighting purposes.
According to Moagi, with Botswana having developed capacity for biogas investment and enhanced agro-waste management and regulations, the country aims to train 200 biogas builders by leveraging existing expertise.
Botswana, which still relies on fossil fuel for energy production, has set ambitious targets to increase the contribution of renewable energy to 30 percent by 2030 as well as reducing carbon emissions to 15 percent by the same year, Moagi said.
By setting such an ambitious target, Moagi said Botswana fully understands its responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations, which underscores the country's dedication to being part of the global green energy solutions. ■