Biogas association comments on UK Governments’ response to UK Emissions Trade Scheme consultation

The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has reacted to the publication, today, of the outcome of the Developing the UK Emissions Trading Scheme consultation launched in March 2022 by the UK-ETS Authority made up of DESNZ, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government, and DAERA of Northern Ireland.

Chris Huhne, Chairman of ADBA and former Energy and Climate Secretary, said:

Bringing biogas and biomethane into the emissions trading scheme would make economic sense, as it would create a level playing field for biogas producers to show what they can do to reduce carbon emissions. The sector can grow to a similar size as nuclear by 2030, but it needs the assurance of the ETS to grow rapidly.

In the publication, the UK-ETS states that “We acknowledge the role biomethane will have in delivering net zero. While there are other government support schemes for biomethane, we recognise how the UK ETS can support the development of low carbon technologies as part of a package of measures to deliver emissions reductions.  We will explore the interactions between biomethane and the UK ETS and expect to set out further details in due course.”

-ENDS-

For further information, contact:
Jocelyne Bia, Senior Communication Consultant
e: Jocelyne.bia@adbioresources.org; tel: 020 31760592

Notes to editors

• The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is the trade association for the UK anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas industry. ADBA’s vision is to see the full potential of the UK AD industry realised so it can help the UK achieve its emissions targets and other policy goals, creating a truly circular economy. www.adbioresources.org
• About the AD industry
  • There are currently 727 AD plants operational in the UK.
  • The entire industry digests approximately 46 million tonnes of organic material each year – organic material that would otherwise emit greenhouse gas if left untreated in landfill.
  • An estimated 19.7 TWh of biogas is produced each year by the AD industry – this green gas is either used to generate electricity and heat via a combined heat and power (CHP) unit or upgraded to biomethane and injected directly into the national gas grid. This is enough to heat 1.6 million UK homes.
  • The industry currently delivers 1% greenhouse gas savings in the UK every year.
  • An estimated 4,800 people are currently employed in the AD and biogas industry in the UK.
  • Fully deployed, by 2030, the UK AD and biogas industry expected to:
    • create 30,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs.
    • save the UK 27m t of CO₂ equivalent = taking 1/3rd of all cars off the road, by 2030.
    • heat 4.5-6.4 million UK homes with the 8 billion m³ of biomethane generated.

• How AD works