Chief Executive’s Monthly Update – January 2026
By Charlotte Morton OBE, Chief Executive of the World Biogas Association
Welcome to this edition of the WBA Newsletter.
As we enter the new year, our focus is firmly on turning the COP30 commitment to quadruple the use of sustainable fuels such as biomethane by 2035 into reality for biogas. Global momentum continues to strengthen, and throughout January, the World Biogas Association has been working hard to change the regulatory environment to make investing in biogas more attractive, representing your interests across key international forums, policy discussions and strategic initiatives that will shape the future of biogas in the transition to Net Zero.
A particular highlight was our engagement at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa, one of the most influential global gatherings of policymakers, industry leaders and investors. In high-growth markets such as India, circular economy solutions are becoming central to national energy strategies, and biogas is becoming increasingly recognised as a core component of the future energy mix. I participated in a series of high-level discussions, highlighting the immense opportunity biogas represents for India, and engaged with numerous stakeholders and partners, including the new Secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to make the case for committing to a National Biogas Mission.
The dialogue has moved decisively beyond advocacy and towards delivery – focusing on how to scale the industry quickly, professionally and at pace. Through keynote and panel engagements, as well as meetings on the sidelines, I emphasised the importance of establishing a National Biogas Mission, drawing on the lessons of the WBA’s #MakingBiogasHappen programme. A coordinated national approach could replicate the success seen in solar and green hydrogen by providing long-term policy certainty, clear targets, targeted financing and strong institutional leadership.
Alongside our international work on the ground, we have made positive progress on one of the sector’s key advocacy priorities: securing recognition of market-based instruments within the GHG Protocol framework. In December, we met senior representatives from the GHG Protocol to discuss how we could urgently address the current guidance gap. Last week, we followed up with a presentation of a proposed interim statement, developed in partnership with fellow members of the Let Green Gas Count Coalition and shaped by input from our members. For more details, I encourage you to read our latest blog below.
This week (10 February), Giulia Ceccarelli, our Head of External Affairs, will represent WBA at a London roundtable hosted by member Baringa, engaging major off-takers and reporting on the encouraging signals we are receiving from the GHG Protocol regarding market instruments.
2026 is also seeing an increased focus on the role of biogas in decarbonising the maritime sector, particularly within ongoing discussions at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on a future Net Zero Framework. On 12 February, I will present on bio-LNG at the IMO Technical Seminar on Marine Biofuels in London, followed by further engagement at the Future of Bio-LNG event in Turin at the end of March. These forums are key opportunities to ensure biogas is recognised as a scalable, viable solution for one of the world’s hardest-to-decarbonise sectors.
Taken together, these activities highlight a clear trajectory: growing global recognition, deeper collaboration and – most significantly – a sharper focus on delivery. Throughout 2026, WBA remains focused on accelerating the growth of biogas and biomethane through changing the regulatory framework to attract finance, while driving higher standards and stronger performance across the sector through its #MakingBiogasHappen programme.