We’re excited to share key moments and milestones from the first half of 2025 at the BioResources and Technology (BRT) Division. This edition captures the energy, innovation, and collaboration that continue to define our work in sustainable development.

So far this year, BRT has contributed to international projects with activities spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. We’ve hosted public outreach events, welcomed interns from around the world, shared our research at global conferences, and more. Our members have also taken on new leadership roles and launched new collaborations, strengthening BRT’s impact both locally and globally.

BRT PhD student and junior researcher Antoine Bercy recently wrote a think piece about the role of biogas in sustainable energy. Enjoy reading! 

When comparing renewable energies, it is important not to fall into the mental trap of trying to figure out which one is “best.” This is not a competitive race to find the next game-changing technology, but rather a humble collaboration to make our world as sustainable as possible. A better approach is to compare energy systems to nature itself. In a closed-loop sustainable system, every component -animal or plant, small or large—has its own role to play. The disappearance of even a seemingly minor part could destabilize the whole system, as a crucial cog would be missing. At the same time, nature shows significant redundancy, where some parts can take over if conditions worsen for others, creating a robust ecosystem.

• Day 1–2 (Theory): Covered fundamentals of biochar, types of pyrolysis units (from low-cost to advanced), feedstock potential in Cambodia, and integration with vermicompost. 
• Day 3–5 (Practice): Focused on constructing barrel-type kilns and introducing safe construction plans and handling. This hands-on phase proved to be crucial.