[Ryan]

Social acceptability surrounding biogas is more critical than ever to ensure the long-term success of a project. To boil it down to two words, it would be education and engagement.

While in the development stages, projects need to engage with their future communities, explaining what biogas is and the community problem it is solving. Communities need to be made aware of the benefits facilities bring, and that any concerns (ex., odour or general safety) have clear solutions.

There is an understandable hesitancy to announce/discuss projects before permitting is completed; past that stage, communities have reported feeling that developers are informing them of a future project rather than asking them their thoughts. It is also important that engagement does not end at project completion. Beyond being responsive to potential complaints, facilities that have experienced the largest success have integrated into their communities, hosting recurring educational visits and attending community events.

I think it’s important to remember that people care deeply about where they live, and their communities, and they want to ensure the businesses that operate there are in the community’s best interest. AD creates more than just carbon-neutral (or negative) electricity or fuel. It solves waste management problems and efficiently recycles nutrients.

[Ryan]

BiogasWorld also prepared some resources for improving the social acceptability of biogas & RNG in Canada, available for free, right here on the Biogas Community, in both English and French.

[Hatem]

I agree Ryan !

Social acceptability is vital to the long-term success of any biogas project—and it comes down to two key pillars: education and engagement.

During development, it’s essential to involve communities early, not just to inform, but to listen !!
People need to understand what biogas is, the local issues it addresses, and how concerns like odor, safety, or visual impacts are being managed with proven solutions.

It’s also important to acknowledge that many potential Stakeholders may be uneasy about the financial implications of new infrastructure—fearing costs, risks, or long-term consequences. These concerns are valid and must be addressed with clear, balanced information about both the advantages and limitations of renewable natural gas (RNG) projects. Transparency builds credibility.

While some hesitation exists around early outreach before permitting, waiting too long can backfire—communities often feel projects are being presented as a done deal. Successful projects maintain engagement well beyond commissioning, becoming trusted community members through ongoing education and participation in local life.

I noticed that at the core, people care deeply about their environment and their community’s well-being. They understand that Anaerobic Digestion offers more than clean energy—it tackles waste, recycles nutrients, and can support local resilience when introduced openly and collaboratively.

[Nikolas]

I would like to add here that ‘good projects’ help the industry build a reputation and become more acceptable to the public. In small rural communities, news of a project that went wrong travel fast. It is important for everyone involved in the project to focus on solving real needs of the farmer / owner and the community itself (manure management, contamination of waterways from runoff, lagoon smells etc), which will help build support that ‘these projects do good’, rather than focusing on projects that will make good money. We need to remember, people in these communities have to live with seeing those structures every day, dealing with the additional traffic from trucks, experiencing disturbances while the project is under construction and fearing potential unknown problems a project might bring.

Discussing with the public in advance will not only secure a project, it will help make any future issues more easily resolved.

[Natalia Bourenane]

Very valid points @Nikolas_Pat !

[Natalia Bourenane]

@pretium_jesusb Jesus, you mentioned that in Spain the social acceptability is becoming an issue. Do you have any specific examples?

[Gurkeerat]

Social acceptability is an issue over here in India too. But that is more because of the ‘fear of unknown’. Also some genuine issues like effluent treatment, polution of the undergrounmd water etc. Remedy lies in making them partners and that has too be early on.

[Peter]

Thanks Gurkeerat, for the projects that you see is whole liquid digestate typically applied as fertilizer or is wastewater treatment more common?

[Gurkeerat]

Thanks Peter. It was a generalobservation on the hesitancy of the local populations to accept the Biogas/RNG Plants in their vicinity. We have seen lot many oprolonged protests against some Bio-energy Projects.

[Peter]

@gazeol-renouvelable_hatem Makes a good point about “odor, safety, or visual impacts are being managed with proven solutions.”

It is not enough to just engage the public – the odor solutions need to work. There are many plants working with very little odor because of investments made in feedstock receiving, digestate management, and diligent process operations. When considering the cost of such measures remember there is only one chance to make a good first impression with the community.

[Hatem]

I believe that early actions play a crucial role in either building or damaging community trust. I advocate for a balanced approach that combines effective communication with strong technical performance, as this is vital for the success and sustainability of projects.

[Natalia Bourenane]

@gre-en-ergy_volker Volker, you mentioned social acceptability challenge of energy crops in Germany and Europe. I believe energy crops are being replaced by other feedstock. What is Germany’s experience?