AD abates almost 4 million tonnes of GHG emissions annually

AD is currently avoiding around 3.8 million tonnes of CO2e emissions each year in the UK, helping the country meet its carbon reduction targets. This is about 0.8% of the UK’s total emissions of 497 million tonnes of CO2e annually.

The chart below shows the progress the AD industry has made in reducing GHG emissions, rising from a 1.9 million tonne saving in 2010 (0.3% of total emissions) to the current number.

These avoided emissions include not only the impact of displacing carbon-intensive fossil fuel combustion, but also include the non-energy savings – avoided methane emissions from manure and waste management, and avoided emissions from the manufacturing of nitrogen fertiliser by use of digestate. The chart below shows how those emission savings are split:

In reaching its full potential, AD could reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 21 million tonnes CO2e, saving around 4.3% of total emissions. This would save the UK over £2 billion in damages.

To learn more about the role of AD in the green economy, be sure to attend the UK AD & Biogas and World Biogas Expo 2017 for more expert discussion and insights.

Keynote speakers will be covering topics including:

• AD and Biogas: Delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• AD's contribution to meeting world carbon reduction targets
• UK energy strategy: what is AD’s role?

If you have any questions about the industry, please feel free to send me an e-mail (emiliano.lewis@adbioresources.org).