Ministers O’Brien and Heydon mark key step to ensuring the development of a sustainable, indigenous biomethane sector in Ireland

Key deliverable under the National Biomethane Strategy – Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter now published
 
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon have announced the publication of the Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter. The Government remains committed to supporting the development of a biomethane sector of scale in Ireland. The development of a Biomethane Sustainability Charter as part of the National Biomethane Strategy is key to ensuring the successful roll-out of an Agri-led biomethane industry, and to mitigate against any unintended or negative environmental consequences.
 
Developed in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Charter compliments and builds on existing regulatory or legal obligations and sets out best practice guidelines to maximise the benefits of anaerobic digestion, while minimizing its environmental impact on land use, water quality, biodiversity, and ensuring a high health and safety standard within the sector.
 
Developed in consultation with key stakeholders, and overseen by the Biomethane Implementation Group, the Charter will apply to biomethane projects being developed in Ireland and in receipt of any form of public funded support, including a national AD/Biomethane support scheme. The Charter outlines the scope and vision for the biomethane sector, and best practices that participants in the industry should commit and adhere to during plant design, construction and operational phases of production.
 
Charter Commitments
 
The Charter includes 17 commitments, and 8 Recommendations focused on 4 key principals which include:
 

• Digestate Management;
• Sustainable Feedstock Production;
• Plant Design & Operation; and
• Community & Local Engagement.

 
The Charter is available to view here.
 
Also published is a progress report on delivery of actions within the National Biomethane Strategy. This is available to view here.
 
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. By following the best practices outlined in this document, operators, farmers, engineers, planning consultants, design engineers and developers demonstrate their commitment to maximizing the benefits and valorisation of anaerobic digestion and bio-based products, while minimizing its environmental impact, improved water quality and ensuring high health and safety standards.
 
“Government is committed to supporting a production level of up to 5.7 Terra Watt hours (TWh) of indigenously produced biomethane per annum, which equates to approximately 10% of current gas demand in Ireland.”
 
Minister Heydon commented:
 
“The publication of The Biomethane Environmental Sustainability Charter is another important milestone in the development of the Biomethane Sector in Ireland. This charter is a key deliverable under the National Biomethane Strategy to help ensure that Ireland’s Biomethane sector can sustainably achieve the 5.7 TWh target by 2030.
 
“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 fertilizer usage through the increased availability of domestically produced digestate.”