ADBA responds to Scotland’s Draft Bioenergy Policy Statement

ADBA responds to Scotland’s Draft Bioenergy Policy Statement

In the quest for a greener Scotland, bioenergy emerges as a promising solution.

On 11 June, ADBA responded to a consultation on Scotland’s Draft Bioenergy Policy Statement offering insights that could shape our sustainable future.

At the heart of ADBA’s vision is anaerobic digestion (AD) and it isn’t just about waste management; it’s a sustainable way of delivering negative emissions through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). ADBA broadly agrees with the Scottish Government’s proposed principles of bioenergy use. The recognition of biogas and biomethane’s versatility in heat, power, and transport applications is very crucial. It’s not just hot air – this renewable gas could shift our course in hard to decarbonise sectors like agriculture, heavy industry and transport. The need to phase out unabated biomass combustion, supporting the shift towards carbon capture technologies should be given high priority because of the negative emission profile. ADBA advocates for a nuanced approach, recognising that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to implementing carbon capture across different-sized plants, type of feedstock, CO2 storage potential, and utilisation sites.

At ADBA, we support a voluntary approach driven by climate and market incentives. It should be ensured for operators that they can integrate carbon capture in a way that aligns with their operational and financial goals. The association also highlights the importance of looking beyond carbon capture, suggesting consideration of alternative decarbonisation options like waste heat utilisation and using biomethane as a dispatchable power source. It’s about maximising energy production.

The Scottish Government seems keen to encourage the use of domestic perennial energy crops as feedstock. ADBA suggests recognising AD as BECCS technology and providing financial incentives, but make sure that this is not prioritised above dealing with the waste feedstocks first. Where energy crops are considered, useful practices for integrating energy crops within the landscape, such as agroforestry and utilising marginal lands, should be implemented so that biodiversity isn’t forgotten in our green vision. ADBA provided examples of how to restore and regenerate biodiversity alongside energy crop production, including the use of hedgerows, conservation tillage, and cover crops.

We emphasise the importance of a circular bioeconomy approach, maximising resource efficiency, prioritising waste feedstocks, careful planning, research, and policy support to ensure the sustainable development of Scotland’s bioenergy sector. By embracing bioenergy and AD, Scotland could not only meet its energy needs but also lead the way in creating a truly circular, low-carbon economy. The future looks green, and it’s powered by AD!