The Government has this week launched a new Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter, originally committed to in 2024. The document was jointly published by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.
The Charter sets out best-practice guidelines to maximise the environmental and economic benefits of anaerobic digestion (AD), while reducing potential negative impacts on land use, water quality and biodiversity. It also places a strong focus on ensuring high standards of health and safety across the sector.
The Charter applies to all new biomethane plants in Ireland which receive public funding, operate under a national AD/biomethane support scheme, or produce gas eligible for Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) or Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) certificates.
The only exceptions are Animal By-Products (ABP) Type 9 plants and plants below 1 MW thermal output (100 Nm³ biomethane per hour).
The Charter includes 17 commitments, and 8 Recommendations focused on 4 key principals which include:
Digestate Management.Sustainable Feedstock Production.Plant Design and Operation.Community and Local Engagement.Environmental and industry standards
Commenting, Minister O’Brien said “A fundamental objective of the establishment of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale is to promote and enhance environmental sustainability. As such, all AD plants must be expected to meet the highest of environmental and industry standards.
“The Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter commits the AD and biomethane industry to the necessary environmental safeguards and community engagement as we begin to increase domestic renewable energy resources in our energy mix” he said.
Minister Heydon commented; “From an agricultural perspective there are clear benefits in terms of contributing to the delivery of renewable energy targets. Along with the opportunity to diversify farm incomes, the Biomethane sector also represents a pathway for farmers to reduce fertiliser usage through the increased availability of domestically produced digestate.”
Welcomed
Seán Finan CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) welcomed its publication stating, “On behalf of biogas / biomethane producers and project developer members, we note the publication today of the biomethane environmental sustainability charter”.
“This charter will be important to promote the positive and sustainable benefits an agri-centric biomethane industry can play in Ireland and the benefits it can bring across many aspects of society” he said.
The Government has this week launched a new Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter, originally committed to in 2024. The document was jointly published by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.
The Charter sets out best-practice guidelines to maximise the environmental and economic benefits of anaerobic digestion (AD), while reducing potential negative impacts on land use, water quality and biodiversity. It also places a strong focus on ensuring high standards of health and safety across the sector.
The Charter applies to all new biomethane plants in Ireland which receive public funding, operate under a national AD/biomethane support scheme, or produce gas eligible for Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) or Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) certificates.
The only exceptions are Animal By-Products (ABP) Type 9 plants and plants below 1 MW thermal output (100 Nm³ biomethane per hour).
The Charter includes 17 commitments, and 8 Recommendations focused on 4 key principals which include:
Digestate Management.Sustainable Feedstock Production.Plant Design and Operation.Community and Local Engagement.Environmental and industry standards
Commenting, Minister O’Brien said “A fundamental objective of the establishment of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale is to promote and enhance environmental sustainability. As such, all AD plants must be expected to meet the highest of environmental and industry standards.
“The Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter commits the AD and biomethane industry to the necessary environmental safeguards and community engagement as we begin to increase domestic renewable energy resources in our energy mix” he said.
Minister Heydon commented; “From an agricultural perspective there are clear benefits in terms of contributing to the delivery of renewable energy targets. Along with the opportunity to diversify farm incomes, the Biomethane sector also represents a pathway for farmers to reduce fertiliser usage through the increased availability of domestically produced digestate.”
Welcomed
Seán Finan CEO of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) welcomed its publication stating, “On behalf of biogas / biomethane producers and project developer members, we note the publication today of the biomethane environmental sustainability charter”.
“This charter will be important to promote the positive and sustainable benefits an agri-centric biomethane industry can play in Ireland and the benefits it can bring across many aspects of society” he said.
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