Challenges

The China-Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center addresses the critical challenge of energy poverty in rural Argentina, where 85.8% of energy still comes from fossil fuels. Limited technical capacity, high equipment costs, and underdeveloped policies hinder the adoption of renewable energy. Through South-South cooperation, this initiative focuses on biogas technology to promote clean energy (SDG 7) by combining training, technical demonstration, and policy support. It also contributes to SDG 1 and 2 by reducing household energy costs and replacing chemical fertilizers with digestate, improving food security and income. Capacity-building efforts support SDG 4, while applied research and system innovations target SDG 9. The project also strengthens sustainable urban-rural links (SDG 11), waste reuse (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), and international partnerships (SDG 17). Scalable, community-based models and inclusive governance are key to addressing these challenges and achieving multiple SDGs through practical, locally adapted solutions.

Toward a Solution

The Center was primarily established to advance SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), providing sustainable biogas solutions to reduce household energy costs between China and Argentina. While clean energy access remains its core focus in both countries, the initiative delivers significant co-benefits across multiple other Sustainable Development Goals. These secondary impacts include supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) through energy cost savings and new livelihood opportunities, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) via increased agricultural productivity from biofertilizers, and SDG 4 (Quality Education) through technical training programs. The project simultaneously contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by developing adapted biogas technologies, SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities) through rural energy access, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption) via agricultural waste valorization. Its climate mitigation outcomes align with SDG 13 (Climate Action), while the partnership model itself exemplifies effective implementation of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through South-South cooperation.

Methodology and achievements

The Center’s implementation strategy reflects a carefully designed, phased approach that ensures both immediate impact and long-term sustainability. The first phase (2021-2023) laid the crucial groundwork through intensive capacity building and technical research. Chinese and Argentine scientists conducted parallel experiments—a innovative approach that allowed for cost-effective knowledge transfer while accounting for local conditions. These joint research efforts produced five detailed laboratory reports on biogas system optimization and two policy studies on sustainable agriculture applications.

Concurrently, the Center organized comprehensive training programs that equipped 74 Argentine professionals with hands-on skills in biogas system design, operation, and maintenance. These trainings weren’t limited to classroom sessions; they included practical workshops and cross-visits to biogas projects in both countries. The knowledge exchange extended to four international symposiums that brought together policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives to discuss practical solutions.

Building on these foundations, the current phase (2024-2026) shifts focus toward real-world applications and policy development. Field trials are testing various uses of nutrient-rich digestate as organic fertilizer. Early results show promising potential to reduce farmers’ dependence on expensive chemical inputs while improving soil health. In parallel, the Center is working on a biogas development roadmap, ensuring the technology’s integration into the country’s renewable energy strategy.

Financial sustainability has been a key consideration throughout. The Center operates through a blended funding model that combines government support from both nations with international development assistance, including from Group 77. This diversified approach not only ensures stable operation but also fosters broader ownership among stakeholders (See Tab. 1 Gantt chart of the Center operation).

Tab. 1 Gantt Chart of China-Argentina Biogas Development and Cooperation Center (2021–2026)

The Center’s work has generated transformative achievements and visible impacts through multiple activities, which has attracted media coverage for public support and additional partners, incluidng  Xinhua News (China), 2023, and LA NACION (Argentina), 2025, both highlighting it a successful model of South-South cooperation

Replicability

Key conditions for successful replication include adequate agricultural waste feedstock, baseline technical capacity (addressable through training programs), and alignment with national energy and agriculture strategies. Current assessments identify other countries with similar agro-ecological profiles that could benefit from this model.

Lessons

Despite its successes, the Center has faced several challenges that offer valuable lessons for similar initiatives. First, regulatory hurdles, particularly around digestate utilization, slowed progress. The solution came through collaborative policy work—joint research and advocacy are expected to create a legal framework for biofertilizer use. Second, reaching remote communities presented another challenge, as standard biogas systems weren’t always suitable for isolated areas with limited infrastructure. The response was to develop modular, small-scale systems including pen and digester that could secure fermentation feedstock. Teams on both sides will work on a model for remote regions. Thirdly, technical capacity gaps among local operators emerged as an ongoing concern. The Center addressed this through inviting NGOs to create a sustainable pipeline of qualified technicians to expand the program’s reach.