In the fast-paced world of clean energy innovation, biogas rarely takes center stage. It doesnt shine like solar power, nor does it generate buzz like batteries, and it doesnt stir geopolitical tension the way hydrogen does. But quietly, consistently, and with growing impact, it is already doing what many climate technologies still only promise to achieve someday: replacing fossil fuels today.

Biogas is produced from organic waste, agricultural residues, and even sewage sludge. It is essentially biogas that has been refined to contain a high concentration of methane, making it suitable to replace fossil-based natural gas. It can be injected into existing gas grids, used for transportation, or serve as feedstock for chemicals and fertilizers. In a world striving to decarbonize gas use without rebuilding infrastructure from scratch, biogas is proving to be an indispensable bridge and in some sectors, even a long-term solution.

Biogas in Europe: From Policy Margins to a Key Energy Asset

Europe has long taken biogas more seriously than most. France in particular has emerged as a leader, thanks to a supportive feed-in tariff system, regional planning, and commitments to grid injection. The country now hosts over 600 biogas production plants and is targeting 20 terawatt-hours of output by 2030 a goal it may actually surpass.

The United Kingdom has also begun relying on biogas, with its "Green Gas Support Scheme" offering financial incentives for anaerobic digestion plants that upgrade biogas to biomethane. Its use in transportation, especially for heavy vehicles that are difficult to electrify, is receiving increasing attention as a near-term alternative to diesel.

Denmark, Germany, and Italy are moving in the same direction, often linking biogas development to agricultural policies, waste management, and even rural economic growth. Its a case study in how climate goals can align with the logic of a circular economy.

More importantly, biogas is no longer being merely blended with conventional gas in some networks, particularly in rural or isolated areas, it is already replacing fossil gas entirely. This is a game changer: from partial substitution to full decarbonization.

North America: From RNG Buzz to Steady Deployment

Across the Atlantic, biogas more commonly referred to as renewable natural gas (RNG) is gaining traction in the United States and Canada, albeit through a different pathway. Much of this growth is driven by transportation credits, such as Californias Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which has spurred gradual expansion, particularly in waste-to-fuel applications.

In the US, major gas utilities have started investing in RNG as part of their decarbonization pledges, and several states are beginning to set procurement targets. In Canada, clean fuel regulations and province-level support programs are paving the way for biogas expansion in transportation and stationary uses.

Although the US Inflation Reduction Act is more commonly associated with hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, it also contains provisions that could support RNG. Meanwhile, the private sector especially in agricultural states is investing in livestock-based biogas, with added benefits of methane reduction and fertilizer production.

That said, the US still faces challenges that Europe has already begun to address: fragmented policies, limited network access, and the lack of a national strategy that visibly includes biogas. But the potential is clear, and the building blocks are in place.

Beyond Energy: The Circular Economy Advantage of Biogas

One of biogass most valuable attributes is its ability to align with other sustainability goals.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, biogas helps:

- Process organic waste

- Lower methane emissions from agriculture

- Enhance fertilizer self-sufficiency

- Create rural jobs

- Reduce pressure on sewage systems

It thus acts as a circular solution transforming waste into energy, fertilizers, and economic opportunities.

Conclusion

Biogas may not make headlines, but it is helping to shape the energy transition in tangible, measurable ways. Across both Europe and North America, the sectors growth reflects a shift in mindset: decarbonization isnt just about futuristic inventions, but also about using the tools we already have intelligently and efficiently.

In earlier publications, the author examined how technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture can help decarbonize industry and energy systems. Biogas deserves a place in that discussion. It is practical, circular, and increasingly scalable.

As policymakers seek climate solutions that are fast, affordable, and methodical, they should not overlook this quiet climber. Biogas has already proven that it can rise to the challenge digester by digester, pipe by pipe, molecule by molecule.