Sustainability of biogas and cassava-based ethanol value chains in Viet Nam

Book excerpt: This report presents the results of the implementation of the GBEP indicators to two key bioenergy pathways in Viet Nam: cassava-based ethanol and biogas at household, farm and industrial levels. The environmental, social and economic impacts of these two pathways are discussed, and recommendations are provided on how to improve their sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness. This work provided Viet Nam with an understanding of how to establish the means of a long-term, periodic monitoring of its domestic bioenergy sector based on the GBEP indicators. Such periodic monitoring would enhance the knowledge and understanding of this sector and more generally of the way in which the contribution of the agricultural and energy sectors to national sustainable development could be evaluated. The implementation of the GBEP indicators in Viet Nam also provided a series of lessons learnt about how to apply them as a tool for sustainable development and how to enhance their practicality.