ADBA welcomes government backing for Fifth Carbon Budget

ADBA welcomes the government’s decision to endorse the Fifth Carbon Budget, following its recommendation from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). The ratcheting up of carbon reduction targets now needs to be met with ambitious and concrete plans to reach these emissions reductions.

As the CCC advised, government should introduce consistent food waste collection services throughout England, and anaerobic digestion must be encouraged to support manure and waste management on farms, helping reduce agricultural emissions and supporting strong farming businesses.

ADBA’s Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, commented:

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has the potential to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 4% – that’s about £1.2 billion saved in carbon abatement costs – by decarbonising electricity and heat sectors, farming and transport.

As well as contributing to the Fifth Carbon Budget emissions reductions by generating renewable energy or transport fuel, AD reduces emissions from rotting manure, landfilled food waste and expensive carbon-intensive manufactured fertiliser.

The AD industry’s continued growth has been put at risk by changes to support mechanisms like the Feed-in Tariff, but the government can reassure the sector and deliver its goals by setting out a clear vision for both food waste collections and farm-based AD. 

If you have any questions concerning the Fifth Carbon Budget and how it impacts AD please get in touch with me via email or I can be reached on 020 3176 0592.