Improved Carbon Accounting for Biogas Projects Underway

(American Biogas Council) EcoEngineers hired by American Biogas Council to lead project and BIOGAS AMERICAS workshop -- The American Biogas Council (ABC), a national trade association and voice of the U.S. biogas industry, has engaged EcoEngineers (Eco), a renewable energy and carbon consulting, auditing and advisory firm, to plan, develop and publish a new carbon accounting methodology to measure the carbon intensity of all biogas projects by the end of 2023. Biogas systems recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products.

“Outside of the transportation sector in California, no accepted standard exists to measure the total carbon impact of biogas projects,” said Patrick Serfass, executive director of the ABC. “Methane and carbon dioxide are already being emitted from the organic waste our society produces. Biogas systems reduce emissions, but their carbon intensity often ranges from a 50 - 700% reduction in carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. That’s huge. To help meet climate goals, guide policy, and make better decisions on how to use our resources, better math is needed. That’s why we’ve hired EcoEngineers to lead this project for us.”

Using existing frameworks, such as the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) pathway for RNG and the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol, this new methodology will develop a strong science-based carbon accounting framework that can be used to more accurately measure the carbon intensity of biogas projects, looking at the whole lifecycle from feedstock to end use of all project products.

As part of the methodology development process, Eco will seek wide input into key assumptions related to LCA boundaries, baselines, and emissions factors. The first opportunity will be a workshop, led by Eco, at BIOGAS AMERICAS, May 16, 2023, 2 – 4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, to present the preliminary methodology framework and gain input from attendees. BIOGAS AMERICAS is the largest biogas conference and tradeshow in North America.

“The demand for proper accounting in carbon reduction and removals has never been stronger,” said Shashi Menon, CEO, EcoEngineers. “Corporate business entities across the spectrum are looking for ways to incorporate transparent, verified disclosures of carbon reduction and removal into product strategies, supply chains and operations across their whole value chain. The American Biogas Council is helping the US industry, governments, and corporate America prepare for this and provide a clear environmental label for biogas products.”

A lifecycle methodology will create a more rigorous standard and crediting mechanism for all kinds of carbon markets. It allows communication between biogas projects developers and buyers of biogas, RNG, digestate and electricity. More specifically, it will allow disclosures of carbon intensity scores to biogas buyers. A universal carbon accounting methodology for all biogas project types will prevent two customers, who purchase gas from the same project, from reporting it differently.

“And beyond biogas, this new methodology will act as a framework for developing similar methodologies in other industries,” added Menon. “It could be game-changing.”

To find out more about the BIOGAS AMERICAS 2023 workshop, “Measuring the Carbon Impact of Biogas & RNG Projects,” or to register, please visit, https://biogasamericas.com/.

EcoEngineers is a consulting, audit, and advisory firm with an exclusive focus on the energy transition. From innovation to impact, we help our clients navigate the disruption caused by carbon emissions and climate change. We help companies stay informed, measure emissions, make investment decisions, maintain compliance, and manage data through the lens of carbon accounting. Our team consists of engineers, scientists, auditors, consultants, and researchers with deep expertise on global fuels policy, energy and carbon markets, and alternative solutions to meet energy demands. Eco was established in 2009 to steer low-carbon fuel producers through the complexities of emerging energy regulations in the United States. Today, our global team is shaping the response to climate change by advising businesses across the energy transition. Together, we can create a world where clean energy fuels a healthy planet.

The American Biogas Council is the voice of the US biogas industry dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems. We represent more than 370 companies in all parts of the biogas supply chain who are leading the way to a better future by maximizing all the positive environmental and economic impacts biogas systems offer when they recycle organic material into renewable energy and soil products. Learn more online at www.AmericanBiogasCouncil.org, Twitter @ambiogascouncil, and LinkedIn. READ MORE