Going online boosts carbon saving for industry

Global industry body the World Biogas Association (WMA) maintains that by hosting the first World Biogas eFestival online last month it has kept vibrant international dialogue going while making a carbon saving equivalent to that of planting over 6 600 trees.

The World Biogas eFestival, proved to be a great success with over 300 participants joining the four-day event from 48 countries globally.

WBA has estimated that it reduced the carbon footprint by 402 t of carbon dioxide emissions which would have been generated if a physical event had been held.

This is the equivalent of planting 6 650 trees, saving emissions from the use 930 bbl of oil or removing the annual emissions of 180 cars.

Delegates attended the virtual event from all world continents – excepting Antarctica – to hear representatives from United Nations bodies, US Congress, the World Bank, the International Energy Agency, as well as industry leaders, sharing insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by the biogas industry as it grows on a global scale.

Research by the WBA has shown that fully deployed, with the right support from world governments, the biogas industry could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 12% by 2030.

This equates to the proportion of global emissions generated by the US in 2012. The sector would also create between 11- and 15-million jobs globally within that timescale, supporting a green economic recovery.

The content of the eFestival will feed into the WBA’s next report – ‘Pathways to 2030’ – which will draw a roadmap towards achieving the 12% objective. The report is scheduled for publication in the third quarter of this year.

“We were delighted with the success of the first World Biogas eFestival,” says WBA president David Newman.

He adds that the number and calibre of the people from all over the world who engaged in the discussions demonstrates the appetite there is for biogas to play its part.  

This is additional to ensuring a green recovery from the global recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also in securing the long-term response to the climate emergency.

The content and expertise gathered last week will be invaluable as the associations set the path towards realising the industry’s full potential.

He concludes that the carbon footprint reduction from hosting this event online has showed that it is possible to host truly international events while protecting the environment.