Evidence-based energy conservation potentials and policy implications in the textile and garment industries of Ethiopia

Energy is one of the primary inputs in textile and garment processing industries and its cost share is reported between 5 and 10% of the total production cost in developed countries but is far higher in developing countries. The textile and garment sector is one of the fast growing economic sectors in developing nations like Ethiopia which have very limited scientific data particularly in the industries where there is no clear and concise information about the energy consumption pattern as well as the energy conservation practices. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to understand the energy usage pattern and conservation practices and to recommend evidence-based conservation measures and policy directions. The aim of this comprehensive study was therefore to conduct a detailed energy audit in the MAA garment and textile industry, in the town of Mekelle, at the northern part of Ethiopia, to analyze the major energy-consuming areas and implementation of evidence-based energy conservation solutions. This was achieved through primary and secondary data collected from the company. Accordingly, a total of 15 energy conservation recommendation was identified and proposed for possible implementation that have the potential to save a total cost of around $214,600 per year but requires nearly$98,300 investment leading to a payback period of 7 months. These recommendations include in the utilities of boiler, thermic fluid heater, air compressors, and lightings. In addition, key policy directions are recommended to support the sectors to reduce their energy consumption

Spatio-temporal land use/cover dynamics and its implication for sustainable land use in Wanka watershed, northwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Long-term land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics information is essential to understand the trends and make necessary land management interventions, such as in the highlands of Ethiopia. This study analyzed six decades of LULC dynamics of Wanka watershed, Northwestern Ethiopian highlands. Two sets of aerial photographs (1957 and 2017), SPOT 5 and sentinel satellite imageries were analyzed. In addition, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field observations were used to identify the drivers and impact of LULC change. It was found that cultivated and rural settlement land (CRSL), bare land, and urban built up area have been continuously expanded at the expenses of mainly forest and shrub lands. Over the entire study period (1957–2017) while the bare land and CRSL have increased by about 59% and 20% respectively, forest and shrub lands have declined by 59% and 57% respectively. Urban built up area has also expanded. The impact of popula- tion pressure and expansion of CRSL land were considerable. The trend of LULC dynamics in the study watershed implies adverse impact on the quality and quantity of the land resource. Hence, appropriate land use planning and strategies that reduce expansion of cultivated land need to be practiced