U.S. EPA Region 7, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa Announce Conference on Anaerobic Digestion
Registration is now open for the upcoming conference titled “Anaerobic Digestion on the Farm – Optimizing Environmental and Economic Outcomes for Rural Communities and Beyond”. The purpose of the conference is to engage stakeholders, facilitate information exchange on anaerobic digestion in agriculture, and focus on solutions for the various challenges facing those operating an AD facility or those interested in owning and operating their own facility.
Conference Details
- Date: November 6-8
- Location: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
- Conference Agenda and Registration: EPA’s conference webpage
Conference Highlights
- Presentations, exhibits, and discussion panel sessions covering various anaerobic digestion topics
- Virtual tours of anaerobic digestion facilities
- Poster session
Kickoff Speakers
- Lisa Schulte Moore – Professor in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and co-director of the Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University. Her research focuses on integrating perennials into agricultural landscapes to support healthy soils, clean water, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities.
- Rod Snyder – Senior Advisor for Agriculture to the EPA Administrator. He has extensive experience in agricultural and environmental policy and has served as the president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture.
Keynote Speakers
- Jerry Flint – Chief Administrator Officer for the National Pork Board. He has a background in global business management, sustainability, and regulatory affairs in the agriculture industry.
- Marcelo Mena-Carrasco – CEO of the Global Methane Hub. He has worked on developing global methane reduction solutions and served as a climate change advisor for the World Bank.
- Rudi Roeslein – Founder and CEO of Roeslein & Associates. His company develops renewable energy production facilities that convert agricultural and industrial wastes into renewable natural gas and sustainable co-products.
About Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is the natural process in which microorganisms break down organic materials in a sealed reactor without oxygen. It is an important technology for managing organic waste and producing renewable energy. Organic inputs may include animal manure, dedicated grassy biomass, food waste, and wastewater biosolids. Outputs include methane-rich biogas and digestate, which can be used to make various products such as soil amendments, fertilizer, animal bedding, electricity, heat, and vehicle fuel.
To learn more about anaerobic digestion, click here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses anaerobic digestion in agriculture, which is connected to several SDGs. Anaerobic digestion can contribute to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) by producing biogas that can be used for electricity and heat. It also relates to industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) as anaerobic digestion facilities require infrastructure and innovative technologies. The process of anaerobic digestion promotes responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) by converting organic waste into useful products. Additionally, it supports climate action (SDG 13) by reducing methane emissions from organic waste decomposition. Lastly, anaerobic digestion can contribute to life on land (SDG 15) by managing organic waste and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified include increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2), upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable (Target 9.4), achieving the environmentally sound management of wastes (Target 12.4), integrating climate change measures into national policies (Target 13.2), and combating desertification and land degradation (Target 15.3).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
- Indicator: Number of sustainable infrastructure upgrades and retrofits
- Indicator: Amount of waste managed through environmentally sound practices
- Indicator: Integration of climate change measures in national policies and planning
- Indicator: Extent of land restoration and reduction in land degradation
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards the identified targets can be measured using indicators such as the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, the number of sustainable infrastructure upgrades and retrofits, the amount of waste managed through environmentally sound practices, the integration of climate change measures in national policies and planning, and the extent of land restoration and reduction in land degradation.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator: Share of renewable energy in the global energy mix |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. | Indicator: Number of sustainable infrastructure upgrades and retrofits |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. | Indicator: Amount of waste managed through environmentally sound practices |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator: Integration of climate change measures in national policies and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Indicator: Extent of land restoration and reduction in land degradation |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nationalhogfarmer.com
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