EBA Roadmap 2040: Biogases Value Chain Calls for Binding Target

EBA Roadmap 2040: Biogases Value Chain Calls for Binding Target to Unlock Circular and Affordable Energy for Europe

Brussels, 13 May 2025 – As the European Union charts its path toward the 2040 Climate Targets, the European Biogas Association (EBA) has unveiled its strategic vision for biogases as a cornerstone of a sustainable, circular, and resilient energy system. This follows the release of the REPowerEU Roadmap last week, that recognised the strategic importance of biogases in the energy mix. Representing the full biogases value chain, EBA is urging the European Commission to adopt a binding target of 100 billion cubic meters (bcm) of biogases by 2040, recognising its vital role in delivering energy security, emissions reductions, and economic development.

“The biogases value chain stands ready to deliver circular, affordable, and secure energy for Europe. A binding 2040 target, backed by political vision and coordination across Member States is key to unlocking Europe’s own sizeable circular opportunities,” said Harmen Dekker, CEO of the European Biogas Association.

The biogases value chain, encompassing biogas and biomethane production and use, as well as organic fertilisers and biogenic CO₂ utilisation, is uniquely positioned to contribute across three interlinked circular pathways:

– Renewable energy: With a sustainable production potential of 101 bcm by 2040 and 151 bcm by 2050, biogases can significantly reduce fossil gas dependency in industry, heating, and transport while enhancing grid flexibility and balancing intermittent renewables.

– Organic fertilisers: Derived from digestate, organic fertilisers restore soil health and replace carbon-intensive synthetic alternatives, supporting the EU’s agricultural and environmental goals.

– Biogenic CO₂: The production of biogases can capture and reuse up to 89 million tonnes of biogenic CO₂ by 2040, decarbonising sectors reliant on fossil-derived CO₂ such as food, beverage, and industrial manufacturing.

Despite this transformative potential, the biogases sector remains underrecognized in EU energy and climate policies. To address this, EBA proposes the establishment of a European Biogases Charter by 2025, developed in partnership with the European Commission and Member States, as a roadmap to scale biogases deployment and align efforts across the value chain.

European Biogases Charter: A Blueprint for Action

The Charter would establish a shared vision and enabling conditions for growth, including:

1. National Pledges for Biogases to outline specific deployment actions and targets;

2. Accelerated permitting and harmonised regulatory processes;

3. Market design reforms to ensure long-term investment stability and reward environmental benefits;

4. Boost infrastructure and production capacity for timely scale-up;

5. Recognition of circular economy value, from fertilisers to decarbonised CO₂;

6. Strategic cooperation between EU institutions, Member States, and the biogases sector;

7. Appointment of National Biogases Coordinators to guide and oversee implementation.

Long-Term Vision and Support for a Sector on the Rise

Currently providing 22 bcm of biogases, equal to 7% of the EU’s natural gas consumption in 2023, the biogases sector is growing rapidly. Over €27 billion in private investment has already been committed to expand biomethane capacity by 2030. However, this pace still falls short of the EU’s full sustainable potential. Meeting the proposed 100 bcm target by 2040 would:

– Avoid over 483 million tons of CO2 per year;

– Provide energy for over 90 million European households year-round;

– Provide over 13,8 million tons of homegrown organic fertiliser.

EBA calls on the European Commission to formally endorse a 100 bcm biogases target for 2040 and support the launch the European Biogases Charter by 2025. These steps would recognise biogases as a strategic asset for the EU’s energy transition.

More information: EBA Roadmap towards 2040

About the European Biogas Association (EBA)

EBA fully believes in the future potential of renewable gas in Europe. Founded in 2009, the association is committed to the deployment of sustainable biogas and biomethane production and use throughout the continent. EBA counts today on a well-established network of over 300 national associations and other organisations covering the whole biogas and biomethane value chain across Europe and beyond.