Air Liquide takes a step further in sustainable biomethane production with a charter built in collaboration with WWF France

Air Liquide is taking a proactive approach in sustainable biomethane production with the adoption of an internal charter, defined in collaboration with various field experts and WWF France. With the release of this charter going beyond current regulations, the Group is committed to measure and track progress towards more sustainable production, while contributing to the development of a worldwide production framework.

Biogas has the potential to play a key role in energy transition: naturally emitted by the decomposition of organic waste, its production is set to quadruple by 2030^[1]. Its generation through anaerobic digestion enables the production of biomethane and biogenic CO2 (to be potentially captured for further use). It is also a source of organic fertilizers. Hence, it is at the crossroads of renewable energy production, waste management and agriculture with potential impacts on climate, air quality, water and soil.

In this context, Air Liquide has taken a proactive continuous progress approach towards a more sustainable biomethane production to limit the potential environmental impacts on its ecosystems. Partnering with WWF France and involving experts from both the industry and academia^[2], the Group designed a comprehensive sustainability assessment methodology, centered around four pillars:

• Contribute efficiently to the energy transition (e.g. maximize plant efficiency, favor the use of renewable and low-carbon energy),
• Be a lever for agroecological practices (e.g. reduced dependance towards chemical fertilizers, agriculture diversification),
• Maximize the benefits for local ecosystems and promote circular economy (e.g. minimize food & feed competition, favor local feedstock sourcing and digestate spreading),
• Preserve biodiversity and prevent environmental risks (e.g. support farmers and other stakeholders in adopting industry standards with regards to safety, monitor impacts on soil, water and air).  

Thanks to this collaborative work, Air Liquide is now equipped with actionable sustainability performance indicators embedded in its investment governance and with a clear roadmap including key fundamentals that each project should follow in their development.

Air Liquide and WWF France are making available on biogas-solutions.airliquide.com the synthesis of the main outputs of this collaboration which aims at being a lever for sustainable practices in the biogas industry and a start for further discussions with the entire ecosystem.

Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee supervising innovation including Biogas Solutions activities commented:

“The success of energy transition calls for global joint efforts and shared standards. With its 30 years of expertise in biomethane technologies and unique position across its entire value chain on a global scale, Air Liquide is committed to act as a driving force in the development of sustainable biomethane production, for its own production and for the benefit of the whole ecosystem.”

Marie-Christine KORNILOFF, Corporate Engagement Director, WWF France:

“We welcome Air Liquide’s proactive approach and their commitment to go beyond existing regulations to progress towards a more sustainable biomethane production. This partnership illustrates WWF France’s engagement to concretely  contribute to a sustainable expansion of renewable energies: using the most holistic approach within our reach, we help economic players develop and apply robust sustainability criteria".

Footnotes  

1. ^{^} https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023/special-section-biogas-and-biomethane 
2. ^{^} Among which the RE-SOURCE LAB from the University of Ghent (Prof.Dr.Erik Meers and Çağrı Akyol, PhD), the European Biogas Association (Secr. General Giulia Cancian) and United Experts (Board members and experts Filip Raymaekers and Lies Bamelis)