Today, the Gas for Climate consortium published a paper exploring the future role of biomethane in the energy system. The report is a Gas for Climate publication, prepared to support the work of the group of companies and organisations that support the Biomethane Declaration. The Declaration was published on 7 December 2021 with an invitation to all stakeholders to engage in the scale-up of sustainable biomethane in Europe to accelerate the energy transition at the lowest possible overall societal costs.
Biomethane can make a significant contribution to climate action in the European Union (EU). To achieve the 2030 goals of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package, and the EU target to reach a net zero emissions economy by 2050, multiple climate solutions must be pursued in parallel. The future energy mix is predicted to be dominated by wind and solar power, both as generators of electricity and in the production of hydrogen. Yet biomethane also has a relevant role to play.
The paper analyses the scale-up potential of biomethane in Europe based on a number of studies and compares these with the European Commission’s own estimates. The paper also describes the energy system and climate benefits of biomethane and other relevant aspects, including rural employment. Strategies to scale-up biomethane and the role that policy can play in removing barriers are also discussed.
Key findings:
- Biomethane is the cheapest and easiest to scale form of renewable gas available today and can bring important energy system services tomorrow.
- Biomethane can be scaled-up significantly and has very high greenhouse gas emission saving potential.
- Biomethane finds use across the economy and has a particularly high energy system value in industry, power, transport, and buildings.
- Beyond energy system and climate benefits, the production of biomethane creates employment in rural areas, can enhance biodiversity, soil quality and can reduce erosion risks.
- The ambition level of policies supporting gas decarbonisation should also be raised, both at a national and EU-level. A greater recognition and support for biomethane will help the EU to achieve a climate-neutral EU energy system at the lowest societal costs.
Read the full report here.