CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S BLOG: Celebrating excellence in the global biogas industry

ADBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton discusses why the AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2018, which close to entries in a fortnight’s time, are so important for recognising and celebrating cutting-edge innovation and best practice in the global biogas industry.

On the evening of 11th July, the UK and global biogas industries will come together for the biggest celebration of AD and biogas worldwide at the AD & Biogas Industry Awards Ceremony 2018, where the winners of this year’s competition will be announced. The prestigious black-tie dinner, held alongside UK AD and World Biogas Expo 2018 in Birmingham on 11th-12th July, will recognise and celebrate those who have made an exceptional contribution to AD and biogas both in the UK and around the world – and there’s plenty to look forward to.

AD is currently reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the UK by 1% and now has the capacity to power over a million homes, while at a global scale it has the potential to reduce global GHG emissions by as much as 20%, the equivalent of eliminating emissions for all global agriculture. AD also helps turn wastes into useful resources, supports farming, produces renewable heat and power, and improves air quality, particularly in urban areas.

Collaboration, innovation, and good practice have been integral to the success that biogas has seen so far and will continue to be so as this exciting industry, potentially worth up to £1tn globally, continues to grow.

The importance of recognising the success of biogas around the world as well as in the UK is the reason why ADBA is partnering with the World Biogas Association for both the AD & Biogas Industry Awards 2018 and for UK AD & World Biogas Expo 2018.

Last year’s Awards Ceremony was a great night, with Farming Today’s Charlotte Smith hosting and an appearance by someone dressed as a food waste caddy! The 2017 winners came from as far as Australia and Japan, and there were notable mentions for Scania GB, for rolling out the world's first biomethane-fuelled double-decker bus, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Emeritus Professor and AD expert Charles Banks. Touching tributes were also made to AD pioneer and ADBA founder member Hugh Vaughan, who had tragically passed away in a road accident earlier in the year.

We have 19 categories in this year’s Awards, six of which are new. Two will recognise innovation in food waste treatment and project collaboration respectively in the global biogas industry, while another will recognise innovation in biomethane either in the UK or abroad. Two other new Awards, for best methane or ammonia emissions management and for best UK AD plant manager, will recognise good practice in running plants, while the new AD Rising Star Award will recognise an outstanding individual who is new to the industry.  

Entering the AD & Biogas Industry Awards represents a great opportunity to ensure that you and your team get the recognition you deserve from your peers as one of the best examples of excellence and innovation in your field. The Awards Ceremony is the perfect place to meet and share experiences with the other top names in AD, and to enjoy delicious food and drink. With some top-notch stand-up comedy thrown in for good measure, it promises to be a great night!

The deadline for entries is Wednesday 28th March (just a fortnight away), so don’t waste any time in getting your application in. I look forward to hearing about the very best of the best in biogas and to welcoming you as a top contender on 11th July!

You can see the full list of categories and enter the awards here.