Methane emissions from the biogas and biomethane supply chains

This debate will discuss the findings of the JRC Report on methane emissions coming from the biogas and biomethane supply chains. Starting from the data presented the panel debate will expand to the wider role that biogas and biomethane will have in the upcoming decade and assess its contribution to reaching the EU decarbonisation targets. 

The scaling up of renewable gases, such as biogas and biomethane, is a critical and effective component of the EU’s long-term decarbonisation strategy. The gradual replacement of fossil-based energy with cleaner energy sources – either to produce renewable electricity or used in the form of ‘clean molecules’ – is at the core of the EU Green Deal, as outlined in the EU System Integration Strategy (2020).

More specifically, the REPowerEU Plan of 18 May 2022 set the target to 35 bcm of biogas/biomethane by 2030, with the double aim to reduce EU’s dependency on natural gas imports while, at the same time, improving the overall European GHG footprint, by replacing molecules of fossil origin with molecules of biological origin.

According to the European Biogas Association (EBA), in 2023 biomethane production alone reached 4.9 bcm, the highest level ever, with the greatest year-on-year increase concentrated in the EU area (21%). Combined biogas and biomethane production in 2023 amounted to 22 bcm, which represented 7% of the natural gas consumption of the European Union.

On the other hand, the biogas and biomethane supply chains are not zero-GHG emissions supply chains and particular attention has been paid by several observers to the emissions of methane.

The doubling of methane emissions concentration levels in the last 200 years has been blamed on anthropogenic activities, particularly in the fossil fuels, agriculture and waste management sectors. Coal mining and gas generation and transport are among the main causes for this detrimental impact on the atmosphere.

Moreover, about 54% of man-made methane emissions comes from the agriculture sector and particularly from enteric fermentation (81%) and manure.

A recently published report from the Joint Research Centre (JRC) carries out a review of all methane emissions from biogas and biomethane production, as to provide an updated, comprehensive methodology for emissions accounting for biogas and biomethane production, including methane losses.

The programme will be available soon!