Prime Minister Boris Johnson has launched the next #UN #Climate #Change #Summit #COP26, which will take place in Glasgow this November. He said that ‘2020 is the year when we turn the tide on global warming, when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all’. As it has done for many years now, the UK #Anaerobic #Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) is urging the UK Government to support the growth of the anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas industry as a significant player in addressing the climate emergency and achieving the UK's Net Zero by 2050 target.
Charlotte Morton, ADBA chief executive, said: ‘We welcome the PM's calls for investment in cleaner, greener technologies. We, however, need action, and as far as the AD and biogas industry is concerned, we are still seeing too little commitment from the UK Government to realise our sector's potential. AD is a mature, readily available technology which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of hard to decarbonise sectors such as heat, transport and agriculture. It also recycles organic wastes into valuable green resources to create a sustainable circular economy in line with the Government's Resources and Waste strategy. ‘AD is already reducing the UK's greenhouse gas emissions by 1% annually. With a fully deployed infrastructure, however, and optimised collection of the organic wastes available for AD treatment, the industry could cut emissions by 6% by 2030. ‘With the UK currently far behind meeting its climate change targets, AD can help the nation catch up, alone capable of delivering nearly a third of the 2030 target set in the legally binding fifth Carbon Budget. The UK Government cannot urge other countries to pledge Net Zero targets whilst trailing behind on its own plans.’ Evidence is piling up of the positive role that AD and biogas can play across multiple sectors. The UNFCCC has recognised biogas as an important player in addressing climate change and urges all countries to ensure it is included in their Nationally Determined Contributions. Last December, Chris Stark, CEO of the UK Committee on Climate Change, told ADBA’s National Conference delegates that ‘the role of AD and biogas in the next decade is pivotal, and without it, we won't reach our Net Zero goal by 2050’. The National Farmers Union has also highlighted the pivotal role AD can play in decarbonising farming and achieving their Net Zero by 2040 goal.
‘This summer,’ Charlotte continued, ‘we will be hosting the World Biogas Summit in Birmingham, which will demonstrate the vital contribution biogas makes around the world – the industry could reduce global emissions by at least 12% by 2030. A few months later at COP26, the eyes of the world will be on the UK to provide the leadership needed in the fight against climate change. We are in last chance saloon. The UK cannot achieve Net Zero without biogas. Nor can the rest of the world. The PM must demonstrate his commitment by taking the necessary steps to promote the deployment of biogas in the UK to its full potential as a matter of urgency if we are to meet our climate change objectives. Actions speak louder than words.’
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