Anaerobic digestion strategy makes advances

The government have published a document setting out the steps needed to increase energy from waste in England through anaerobic digestion (AD).

The document is part of the Department for Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Structural Reform Priority which will look at ways to promote energy from waste and will be completed by the end of November.



This work will be used to publish a detailed strategy to encourage anaerobic digestion measures, which DEFRA believes has the potential to meet several major challenges.



The process could reduce greenhouse gases from manure and waste management, produce renewable energy without causing significant adverse land-use change, and divert waste from landfill.



Climate Change minister, Greg Barker said: "We need to be far more ambitious in getting energy from waste.



"Today's document signals the start of a collective approach between industry and government to increase the amount of anaerobic digestion over the next few years.



"This is a key part of the Coalition's vision of a much greater role for local energy and puts power back in the hands of communities.



"Anaerobic digestion cuts carbon emissions, helps ensure energy security, creates green jobs and reduces biodegradable waste going to landfill."



A full review of waste policy is currently underway and is due to report in spring 2011. In addition to AD, other energy from waste technologies will be examined, as part of the Government's overall approach to moving towards a zero-waste economy.



The development of a strategy for AD will feed in to work on the Waste Review. Alison Brown