10 Years of Making Biogas Happen
A decade of transforming biogas into a recognised pillar of the global climate and energy transition.
When the World Biogas Association (WBA) was founded in 2016, biogas and anaerobic digestion were largely absent from the international climate and energy agenda. Despite their enormous potential to reduce emissions, strengthen energy security and support circular economies, the sector lacked a unified global voice.
Over the past ten years, WBA has worked to change that.
Through global advocacy, research, policy engagement and international collaboration, WBA has helped position biogas and biomethane as recognised solutions within the global energy transition – engaging with governments, industry leaders and institutions including the IEA, UNIDO, CCAC and the World Bank.
Today, biogas is increasingly recognised as one of the fastest and most effective pathways for reducing methane emissions while creating renewable energy, improving waste management and supporting climate resilience.
50+
new global biogas policies introduced
9
consecutive COPs
10+ Years
of global leadership
6
continents represented
150+
countries engaged in methane commitments
1m+
stakeholders reached through current campaigns
From Niche to Mainstream
Over the past decade, the role of biogas has fundamentally changed – from a largely overlooked technology to a recognised climate, energy and circular economy solution.
2016
Limited international recognition
Fragmented sector representation
Minimal methane policy focus
Biogas absent from major climate discussions
Limited understanding of organic waste potential
2026
Biogas recognised as a global climate solution
Coordinated international sector leadership through WBA
Methane reduction central to climate policy discussions
Featured in major international energy and renewables reports
Growing global policy frameworks, standards and certification schemes
Expanding partnerships with governments, UN agencies and industry leaders
Accelerating deployment of anaerobic digestion worldwide
A Decade of Global Impact
Over the past ten years, WBA has helped shape the global conversation around biogas, methane mitigation and anaerobic digestion – driving policy momentum, international collaboration and sector growth worldwide. Explore the milestones that have defined the last decade of #MakingBiogasHappen by selecting each year below.
2016 | Launching a Global Voice
The World Biogas Association was launched at COP22 in Marrakesh as the first organisation dedicated to representing the global biogas, anaerobic digestion and landfill gas sectors.
At a time when biogas was largely absent from international climate and energy discussions, WBA was established to unite industry, policymakers and stakeholders behind a shared vision: unlocking the full value of organic waste through anaerobic digestion.
Why it mattered
The global biogas sector gained a unified international voice for the first time.
2017 | Building the Foundations
WBA’s first full year focused on building a global membership network, engaging with policymakers and establishing its presence within international climate, energy and circular economy discussions.
The Association began laying out the groundwork for future advocacy efforts, industry collaboration, and market development initiatives.
Why it mattered
Strong sectors require strong institutions. This year established the foundations for a decade of influence.
2018 | Putting Organic Waste on the Climate Agenda
As global attention increasingly turned towards circular economy solutions, WBA strengthened its advocacy around organic waste recycling and the role of anaerobic digestion in reducing methane emissions.
The organisation expanded engagement with governments, international agencies and industry stakeholders while helping raise awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of biogas.
Why it mattered:
The conversation began shifting from waste disposal towards resource recovery and methane prevention.
2019 | Quantifying the Global Potential
WBA published The Global Potential of Biogas report, providing one of the first comprehensive assessments of how anaerobic digestion could contribute to climate mitigation, renewable energy generation and sustainable development.
The report demonstrated that biogas could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 10-13% while simultaneously addressing waste, energy, and agricultural challenges. The data was subsequently shared with the International Energy Agency, contributing to its growing engagement with the sector and future dedicated biogas and biomethane analysis.
Why it mattered
For the first time, the sector’s global contribution was quantified, strengthening the evidence base for policy and investment.
2020 | Demonstrating Resilience
As the world faced unprecedented disruption, the biogas sector demonstrated its value as critical infrastructure, providing essential waste management, renewable energy generation, and agricultural services.
Throughout the pandemic, WBA continued supporting members, advocating internationally and reinforcing the importance of circular economy solutions in building resilient communities.
Why it mattered
The year highlighted the essential role of local energy generation and sustainable waste management systems.
2021 | The Methane Imperative
Ahead of COP26, WBA centred its international advocacy around The Methane Imperative, identifying methane mitigation as one of the fastest and most effective climate actions available.
Long before methane became a mainstream climate priority, WBA highlighted the critical role anaerobic digestion could play in preventing methane emissions from organic waste while generating renewable energy and biofertilisers.
Why it mattered
Methane moved to the forefront of global climate discussions, creating unprecedented opportunities for the biogas sector.
2022 | From Recognition to Implementation
Following COP26 and the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, attention increasingly turned towards implementation.
WBA expanded engagement with governments, regulators and international organisations, helping develop the policy frameworks, market mechanisms and enabling conditions needed to translate climate ambition into practical action.
Why it mattered
The conversation shifted from awareness to deployment.
2023 | Building Coalitions for Change
WBA launched advocacy efforts that would become Let Green Gas Count, bringing together organisations across the renewable gas value chain to advocate for the recognition of biomethane within evolving carbon accounting frameworks.
At the same time, WBA began designing what would become its most ambitious initiative to date: #MakingBiogasHappen. Work commenced on developing practical tools capable of accelerating deployment worldwide, including the foundations of the Global Biogas Regulatory Framework (GBRF) and The Anaerobic Digestion Certification Scheme International (ADCS International).
Why it mattered
The sector’s challenge was no longer proving biogas work. The challenge was creating the conditions needed to scale it.
2024 | Launching #MakingBiogasHappen
WBA launched #MakingBiogasHappen, a global programme designed to accelerate biogas deployment by providing governments and stakeholders with practical implementation tools, policy frameworks and capacity-building support.
The programme introduced two groundbreaking initiatives:
🌱The Global Biogas Regulatory Framework (GBRF) – a comprehensive toolkit designed to help governments establish the policies, regulations and standards needed to develop successful biogas sectors.
🌱 ADCS International (ADCSInt) – the world’s first internationally applicable anaerobic digestion certification scheme, designed to promote operational excellence, safety and performance across the industry.
The same year, WBA also championed the first-ever COP Declaration on Reducing Methane from Organic Waste, signed at COP29 by more than 30 countries.
Why it mattered
WBA evolved from being an advocate for the sector to providing the institutional architecture needed for global deployment.
2025 | Turning Ambition into Action
The first versions of the Global Biogas Regulatory Framework and ADCS International were launched, providing governments and industry stakeholders with practical tools to accelerate biogas deployment and build investor confidence.
Meanwhile, Let Green Gas Count grew into a coalition of more than 250 organisations, helping strengthen recognition of biomethane certificates and renewable gases within international accounting and reporting frameworks. Through #MakingBiogasHappen, WBA increasingly focused on helping countries move from policy commitments to implementation.
Why it mattered
The sector gained practical frameworks capable of accelerating deployment at scale.
2026 | A Decade of Progress. The Decade of Delivery Begins.
As the World Biogas Association celebrates its 10th anniversary, the sector stands in a fundamentally different position than it did in 2016.
Methane mitigation is now recognised as a global climate priority. Governments are developing dedicated biogas and biomethane strategies. International institutions increasingly recognise anaerobic digestion as a practical solution for climate action, energy security, and circular economy development.
What began as a mission to create a global voice for biogas has evolved into a global movement.
Through #MakingBiogasHappen, the Global Biogas Regulatory Framework and ADCS International, WBA is helping provide the institutional architecture needed to move from policy ambition to on-the-ground execution.
Why it matters
The first decade-built awareness, recognition, and momentum. The next decade will focus on deployment, investment, and impact.
Reflecting on a Decade of Progress
Over the past year, we have been looking back on the milestones, partnerships and achievements that have helped shape both the World Biogas Association and the wider biogas sector.
Explore the stories behind a decade of progress by hovering over each story card below.
⚙️ Behind the Scenes. Beyond the Headlines.
Some of the sector’s most important progress happened away from the spotlight. Through policy engagement, coalition building and technical advocacy, WBA has helped create the conditions needed for growth.
Read story here
📈From Margins to Mainstream
When WBA was founded, biogas was often overlooked in climate and energy discussions. Today, it is increasingly recognised as a solution for climate action, methane mitigation, energy security and the circular economy.
Read story here
Voices From the Journey
Over the past decade, the World Biogas Association has been shaped not only by policies, partnerships and programmes, but by the people behind them. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we invited members and industry leaders from across the global biogas community to share their reflections on the journey so far and the opportunities that lie ahead.
❝As a Council Board Member of the World Biogas Association, I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the exceptional professionalism, dedication and impact of its leadership and staff. Their unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of the global biogas community has been instrumental in elevating the role of anaerobic digestion and biogas solutions within the international energy, waste management and climate sectors.
As WBA marks its 10th anniversary, this milestone celebrates not only a decade of service, but a decade of meaningful industry scaling, global advocacy and the establishment of biogas as a critical pillar of the circular economy and net-zero transition. I am proud to support an organisation whose work has helped lay the foundations for the continued global growth and success of our industry.❞
Christopher Maloney, Managing Partner, Global Bridges Group & CEO, Entsorga Inc.
❝Over the past decade, the World Biogas Association has helped elevate biogas from what was often viewed as a niche renewable technology to a globally recognised solution for some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through advocacy, education and collaboration, WBA has demonstrated that biogas is far more than an energy source — it is a platform for methane mitigation, waste valorisation, circular economy development, energy security and decarbonisation.
As the Association looks towards its next decade, the opportunity is even greater. Emerging sectors, including AI infrastructure and data centres, are driving unprecedented demand for resilient, low-carbon energy systems. Biogas and biomethane are uniquely positioned to help meet this challenge, providing practical pathways towards a more secure, sustainable and decarbonised future.
I wish the World Biogas Association continued success as it enters its next chapter and look forward to seeing it play an even greater role in connecting the worlds of energy, waste, agriculture, industry and digital infrastructure in the years ahead.❞
Alex Marshall, Group Business Development & Marketing Director, Clarke Energy
The Next Decade Starts Now
As we celebrate ten years of progress, our focus is firmly on the future. The last decade has demonstrated the role biogas can play in reducing emissions, strengthening energy security and transforming organic waste into a valuable resource. Yet the opportunity ahead is even greater. Around the world, governments, businesses and communities are increasingly seeking solutions that can simultaneously deliver climate action, economic resilience and sustainable growth. Biogas is uniquely positioned to help meet that challenge.
The next decade will be about moving from potential to deployment – and from ambition to implementation.
Scaling Global Deployment
Supporting the policies, partnerships and investment needed to accelerate biogas deployment worldwide.
Unlocking the Value of Organic Waste
Helping countries and industries recognise organic waste not as a problem to manage, but as a resource to harness.
Delivering Climate and Energy Solutions
Advancing biogas and biomethane as practical solutions for methane mitigation, energy security and net-zero transitions.
Be a Part of the Next Decade
Over the past decade, the World Biogas Association has worked alongside members, partners and stakeholders to help advance the role of biogas worldwide.As we look ahead, continued collaboration will be essential to unlocking the full potential of biogas as a solution for climate action, energy security and the circular economy.Whether you are already part of our community or exploring how to get involved, we invite you to discover how WBA members are helping shape the future of the sector.
Celebrate with Us
While our first decade provides much to celebrate, our focus remains firmly on the future. We look forward to bringing our global community together at two flagship events that will help define the next chapter of the biogas sector and the journey ahead.
World Biogas Expo & Summit
📍 Birmingham, UK | 📅 8–9 July
Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators from across the global biogas sector.
World Biogas Association INDIA Congress 2026
📍 New Delhi, India | 📅 8-9 October
Exploring the opportunities, challenges and solutions shaping the future of biogas and organic waste recycling in India and beyond.