Currently, animal manure from farmers in Ghana is left to decay anaerobically, emitting methane into the atmosphere. At the same time, local farmers mainly use firewood for cooking in inefficient traditional cookstoves. This causes significant deforestation and emissions, as well as indoor air pollution, with the risk for women being especially high due to more exposure while cooking.

HomeBiogas’ flagship activity in Ghana, in collaboration with the KliK Foundation, is to replace the use of traditional cookstoves. The activity owner will install 20,000 HomeBiogas systems for local farmers. The HomeBiogas Farmers system is CE and ISO certified, which promises a high-quality level of the system’s materials and technology.

The system converts animal manure into biogas for clean cooking and into biofertiliser, significantly reducing methane emissions by capturing CH₄ from animal manure and at the same time reducing CO₂ emissions by preventing the use of firewood and charcoal. The system generates liquid biofertiliser that enriches the soil, improving crop yields and reducing the use of potentially harmful chemical fertilisers. In addition to significantly reducing of greenhouse gas emissions, the activity will thus improve waste management and increase agricultural productivity.

Economic and social co-benefits for participating households:

• Financial savings on fuel, due to the biogas used for cooking

• Financial savings on fertiliser, due to the biofertiliser produced in the biodigesters

• Health benefits due to the reduction of wood burning in households for cooking, which otherwise releases harmful pollutants

• Economic benefits due to the creation of approximately 400 new jobs and the development of local expertise in biogas technology

Biogas technology is new for farmers in Ghana and the upfront cost of the system installation is high relative to their income. Therefore, without the subsidy supported by the KliK Foundation farmers will be reluctant to adopt this biogas life-changing solution and continue to use traditional polluting and unhealthy practices. The farmers participate in purchasing the system, subsidized by carbon revenues.

Ghana's Framework for Cooperative Approaches under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement (Schedule 4, section 3.4.2.2) includes a whitelist of technologies that are considered additional to the NDC. Biodigesters are explicitly mentioned on this list. Thus, Ghana clearly signals that biodigesters are outside the scope of its national measures to achieve its NDC during the period 2021–2030.

SDG 1: No Poverty – The activity ensures that all participating households have access to basic services and appropriate new technology. By providing biodigesters, the project significantly improves access to affordable and cleaner forms of energy for daily cooking needs. This results in financial savings from reduced expenditure on fuel sources and biofertiliser, freeing up resources for other critical goods.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The liquid biofertilizer produced from the biodigesters promotes sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers have reported higher crop yields, stronger natural flavors, larger harvests, healthier and more fertile soil, and a lower need for pesticides. This contributes to sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – By replacing firewood with biogas for cooking, the activity reduces indoor air pollution, which is a major driver of respiratory illnesses. This leads to a reduction in deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution, particularly benefiting women who are more exposed to indoor pollution while cooking.

SDG 5: Gender Equality – The activity reduces the time women spend collecting firewood and cooking using traditional methods, allowing them to invest more time in other activities and potential economic participation. Additionally, the activity promotes equal employment opportunities, with a significant proportion of women employed by HomeBiogas.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The activity provides clean cooking units and a supply of biogas for each participating household, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services for daily cooking needs.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The activity creates approximately 400 new jobs in the activity region and builds local expertise in biogas technology. This contributes to full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDG 15: Life on Land – By reducing the reliance on fuelwood for cooking, the activity helps prevent deforestation and promotes sustainable management of forest resources. The use of biofertiliser also strengthens soil health and improves crop water and nutrient consumption efficiency.

These contributions highlight the multifaceted benefits of the biogas activity, addressing various aspects of sustainable development and improving the quality of life for the participating households.