Advancing environmental sustainability and climate resilience through renewable energy in aquaculture

Abstract

Aquaculture has emerged as an important source of nutrition, income and economic activity in Egypt, providing about two-thirds of the fish consumed in the country. However, its continued success is threatened by climate change because of rising water temperatures, water scarcity, changes in rainfall patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather events. Meanwhile, the sector itself also has an impact on climate and the environment in the form of GHG emissions, discharge of nutrients and disturbance of ecosystems. Fish farmers expressed enthusiasm for renewable power as a means to reduce costs and provide a more reliable source of electricity, although they worried about the capital costs of installing it. Most fish farms in Egypt are leased, rather than owned, which discourages capital investment. The study shows that major reductions in GHG emissions can be achieved if renewable energy replaces most of the diesel that tilapia farms use. This needs to be tested and analyzed from a financial standpoint.