WBA responds to SBTi Power Sector Net-Zero Standard consultation responded to TCAT consultation
On Monday 7 September, The World Biogas Association (WBA) submitted its response to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Power Sector Net-Zero Standard Second Public Consultation, representing the interests of the global biogas and biomethane sector.
The proposed Power Sector Net-Zero Standard will set sector-specific requirements for companies involved in power generation, transmission, distribution, storage and electricity retail, alongside the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0. The draft explicitly includes electricity generation from “biogas from waste”, including combined heat and power (CHP), within its scope and power-sector decarbonisation pathways.
In our response, WBA welcomed SBTi’s continued recognition of bioenergy while highlighting several areas where the draft needs greater clarity to ensure biogas and biomethane are treated accurately and consistently. Following feedback on our proposed response from WBA members, we provided recommendations to improve the Standard’s clarity, proportionality and applicability to the global biogas sector.
Key points included:
- Biogas and biomethane recognition: Explicitly name biogas, biomethane/RNG and recovered landfill gas, and clarify CHP, blends, fuel cells and grid-delivered biomethane.
- Low-carbon thresholds and methane: Clarify whether the low-carbon threshold applies to CO₂ only or all direct GHGs and ensure material methane slip is addressed.
- Wastes and residues: Clarify how bio-based feedstock requirements apply to waste and residue pathways, including where regrowth-cycle requirements are not relevant.
- CHP and multi-output AD: Provide a consistent approach to electricity and useful heat, alongside a worked example for AD facilities with multiple varied outputs such as CHP, upgrading and energy exports.
- Proportionality: Reassess applicability thresholds and ensure proportionate treatment for smaller, distributed and incidental generation.
- Hourly matching: Recognise the potential role of dispatchable biogas while reflecting current limitations in metering, registries and renewable-gas evidence.
Overall, WBA’s response emphasised that the final Standard should maintain strong environmental integrity while reflecting the characteristics of biogas and biomethane. Clear treatment of these pathways will be important to ensure that the Standard supports credible decarbonisation without creating unintended barriers for biogas, biomethane and distributed generation.
We would like to thank WBA members for providing their considered feedback to our position and encourage members to continue engaging with us in responding to future consultations. Your input helps ensure that WBA’s consultation responses reflect the practical realities of the global biogas industry.
