Alliance Urges GHG Protocol to Acknowledge Biogas and RNG in Business' Greenhouse Gas Record-Keeping
The "Let Green Gas Count" coalition, led by the American Biogas Council (ABC) and the World Biogas Association (WBA), is pushing for immediate changes to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol). The coalition's focus is on how Scope 1 emissions - direct emissions from owned or controlled sources - can be reported when companies replace conventional natural gas with certified renewable alternatives, such as biomethane and renewable natural gas (RNG).
According to Patrick Serfass, executive director of the ABC, the absence of recognition for biogas and RNG has become a barrier to market growth. Charlotte Morton OBE, the chief executive of the WBA, has stated that the lack of guidance on the use of market instruments in the GHG Protocol has significantly slowed the growth of the biomethane industry.
The coalition's recommendations aim to unlock new investment, accelerate project development, and ensure renewable natural gas and biogas can be recognized for their full, science-based climate benefits. By allowing the use of certified instruments, such as green gas certificates, in emissions reporting, the coalition's proposal seeks to fill the gap that currently exists.
The biomethane industry is one of the few options for decarbonizing hard-to-decarbonize sectors, as mentioned by Charlotte Morton OBE. The industry is critical for preventing harmful methane emissions from organic wastes and decarbonizing hard-to-decarbonize sectors. However, the lack of clear rules on how to account for the purchase and use of green gases remains a challenge.
Until then, companies lack clear rules on how to account for the purchase and use of green gases, which could constrain corporate decarbonization strategies and delay capital for new projects. Without interim clarity, the growth of the biomethane industry may continue to be hindered, missing out on the potential to contribute significantly to national and corporate net-zero pathways.
The GHG Protocol, administered by the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is under pressure to modernize its rules, reflecting a wider shift in climate governance. The coalition's recommendations for recognizing market instruments for biogas and RNG in Scope 1 disclosures were presented in 2022. The GHG Protocol is currently undergoing a multi-year update, with new guidance expected in 2028.
If adopted, the coalition's recommendations could provide a bridge for corporates looking to expand renewable gas use and influence policy debates in the U.S., Europe, and beyond. The coalition's focus on the lack of clear rules for accounting for green gases highlights a critical need for change, potentially paving the way for a more sustainable future.
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