Biomethane can support Europe’s transition towards sustainable mobility

According to the European Environmental Agency, transportation emissions are responsible for 27% of Europe’s total greenhouse gas emission, which is a major contributor to climate change. A recent study shows that in using liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) in the transportation sector, could reduce sector emissions by 95%.

The European Commission has recently set a target to increase renewable energy in the transportation sector to at least 14% by 2030 with a minimum of 3.5% being advanced biofuels. One option proposed for fast decarbonization is to use bio-LNG from organic residues and the purification of biogas. Currently biomethane as a renewable fuel is readily available for use at scale with infrastructure in place.

The paper authored by Floris Goedhar - Hanze university of Applied Sciences, Groningen Netherlands, t “Sustainable mobility in Europe: Potential market share for bio-LNG in the heavy-duty transport and maritime sectors in 2050” indicates that using bio-LNG in heavy-duty vehicles and maritime transport are equally promising.

“For transport decarbonisation to speed up, all sustainable renewable fuels are necessary. Bio-LNG is the most readily available solution to decarbonise transport in Europe, especially heavy-duty and maritime sectors. Unlike other renewable alternatives, it can benefit from the existing LNG infrastructure.”, explains Floris Goedhart.

Study’s such as the one undertaken by Goedhar, demonstrate the ability to apply the circular economy in transitioning waste to green energy in effort to reduce GHG emissions while at the same time continuing to power the Unions economy.

Parts of this story have been taken from “European Biogas Association”, December 2022