World Biogas Association’s newest members applaud mission to bring industry together to achieve its huge potential and build a long term sustainable circular economy

aerial view of biogas plant in Germany

  • Global Potential of Biogas report estimates industry greenhouse gases abatement potential at 12% of today’s global emissions
  • SHV Energy, ENGIE, SUEZ latest companies to join WBA’s existing members to identify road map to achieve this potential

As the urgency to decarbonise grows, the World Biogas Association (WBA) is bringing the industry together to look at how fast its members could build the infrastructure to collect and treat all the organic wastes generated by society, which if left untreated would emit large amounts of harmful methane emissions. The WBA’s Global Potential of Biogas report published in July estimates that, by capturing and recycling these wastes into biogas, biomethane, green CO2 , natural fertilisers and a range of bioproducts, the industry could reduce global greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by an impressive 12%.

WBA President David Newman, said: “We are greatly encouraged by the calibre of organisations that are joining us to give our industry greater powers and capability to deliver on the huge potential that we hold, not only to help meet Paris Agreement targets and many UN Sustainable Development Goals, but also to play our part in creating the sustainable low carbon world that this and future generations are crying out for”.

Latest members SHV Energy, ENGIE and SUEZ recognise the need to work together to deliver the industry’s full potential.

Rebecca Groen, Director Biofuels, SHV Energy said: “As a global leader in off-grid energy solutions, we continue to look for innovative renewable, recycled and bio-based energy products to meet our customers’ sustainable energy needs. The WBA is a unique network of stakeholders with a shared goal to champion the role of sustainable biogas in the global energy transition. We look forward to joining forces with like-minded stakeholders to make this happen.”

Jean-Marc Leroy, Senior Executive Vice President for External Relations at ENGIE said: “For ENGIE, biomethane development is an integral part of an affordable zero-carbon future and a key element responding to a triple challenge: clean energy, waste management and territorial growth based on circular economy. We are proud to be part of WBA and are keen on working with its members to make the best use of the global biogas potential for the benefit of our planet.”

Jean-Marc Boursier, SUEZ Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive VP Group in charge of Northern Europe and IWS Europe, said: “As municipal utilities and the industry move towards a Circular Economy in water and waste sectors, there is a need to move tenders from Value Chain to Value Cycle to see more green technologies, solutions and infrastructure coming out from the ground. The world biogas industry, as a key deliverer of GHG reduction, deserves to build a strong voice at international level to foster the development of virtuous and environmental best-in-class solutions. WBA is a cornerstone for the professional and international community to share best practices and help project developers valuing resource recovery, green funding and green usages from solutions available today.”

Work is underway with all WBA’s members with a view to developing a roadmap that will deliver the 12% reduction in global emissions in the shortest possible time. Industry organisations interested to join in these efforts should contact David Newman, President, WBA at dnewman@worldbiogasassociation.org