The project facilitates a model for social enterprises to green their operations, reduce their carbon footprint and conserve water. It addresses the following SDGs: #7 Affordable and Clean Energy #13 Climate Action.

It will address multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)3 ? primarily goals 6.3 & 6. By treating wastewater and increasing the use of recycled water and reuse technologies. In addition, it will also address goals 7A & 7B by facilitating access to clean energy research of biogas and upgraded technology in the small island developing state. This project also recognizes goal 11 by making the impacted communities more resilient and sustainable while fulfilling goals 12.5 and 12.A through providing the island with a structured solution to continued waste recycling and reuse. Ultimately, the project will address climate change through meeting goal 13 as freshwater and fossil fuel use decrease, leading to increased water security and reduced carbon emissions. This project design directly impacts the dairy farm while initiating a continued focus on sustainable development through the use of proven technologies.

The primary reasons for water scarcity and the use of outdated fossil fuel energy production in Barbados are as follows:

a. Climate change - As water scarcity worsens with climate change, the need to provide more sustainable water solutions in Barbados is becoming increasingly vital. Carbon emissions driven by a dependency on fossil fuel-based material use are among the main contributors to climate change.4 To prevent a 1.5ºC global temperature rise above pre-industrial levels, we must take immediate and purposeful action.

b. Population increase - As communities continue to develop under increasingly dire climate conditions and urban sprawl, the use of sustainable technologies and alternative energy sources are essential. We can solve increased stress on currently unsustainable waste management and energy consumption systems by promoting technologies that recycle and reuse resources.

c. Outdated fossil fuel-powered electricity production ? The use of fossil fuels does not conform with UN clean energy goals. Developing alternative, renewable energy sources lower dependency and use of harmful fossil fuels. Current carbon emissions in Barbados must be lowered to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

d. Poor water management ? Freshwater resources are limited across the globe. The increased and unconscious use of freshwater is weakening the resilience of impacted communities during unprecedented times.5 Current infrastructures are incapable of tackling this issue; therefore, our new solutions must be introduced immediately.

e. Outdated farm waste management system ? There is currently no infrastructure for wastewater filtration or clean energy use on the proposed site. Uncontrolled decomposing manure releases methane gas and other by-products that are directly hazardous to human and environmental health.

Overall, the global livestock sector in its current state is largely responsible for unsustainable water use as well as unacceptable greenhouse gas emissions. Biogas collection, along with wastewater reuse, provides a complete solution that directly addresses both of these issues. This project will naturally filter wastewater for non-potable re-use, self-sufficiently generate electrical power through biogas and promote the essentiality of sustainable design in Barbados.

NB: This is a small pilot project with plans to expand. This will be accomplished by having farmers all over the country tap into our system and replicate it.