[A versão em português deste episódio você encontra clicando aqui.]

In the latest episode (40) of the Amplum Biogas podcast, Vanice Nakano had the honor of welcoming Charlotte Morton, CEO of the World Biogas Association (WBA) and one of the world’s leading figures in the biogas sector.

A lawyer by training and an executive with an MBA from the London Business School, Charlotte leads international initiatives that position biogas as a strategic solution to climate challenges. She has also been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to the industry.

In the episode, Charlotte shared her insights on the pathways for global biogas expansion, highlighted the importance of public policies and effective regulatory frameworks, and discussed the strategic role that countries like Brazil can play in this landscape.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify or YouTube.

The Mission of the World Biogas Association (WBA)

The World Biogas Association (WBA) was created with the primary goal of raising global awareness about the importance of recycling organic waste and enabling the full realization of this opportunity.

Charlotte explains:

“The World Biogas Association was set up just over eight years ago now, primarily to ensure that the world was aware of how important it is and how exciting it would be if we could recycle all of the organic wastes that we humans generate every year. And also to facilitate delivery of that opportunity and technology.”

To make this vision a reality, the WBA is actively working on the development of a global regulatory framework for biogas and an International Anaerobic Digestion Certification Scheme: initiatives aimed at supporting the sustainable growth of the industry worldwide.

You might also be interested in: Anaerobic digestion – from biogas to biohythane

Global challenges and the urgency of biogas

Despite progress in the biogas sector worldwide, Charlotte reinforces that the energy transition still needs to accelerate if global climate goals are to be truly achieved.

She points out that the current pace of change is not enough to meet the targets set by the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Pledge (GMP). More speed and ambition are urgently needed!

Overcoming the challenges for biogas expansion

In the interview, Charlotte identifies two major challenges to the global expansion of biogas:

1 – Financing: the financial viability of projects depends on the ability to attract investment. However, this only happens when investors find a regulatory environment that offers security and allows them to achieve an internal rate of return (IRR) that matches the level of risk involved.

2 – Regulation: in many countries, there is simply no adequate regulatory framework for biogas, which makes it difficult to develop projects and access funding. As Charlotte points out: “In many countries, there simply isn’t an appropriate regulatory environment. So it’s very difficult for developers to put together a project that will be capable of raising the funds.”

The importance of Brazil for the WBA and biogas growth

Charlotte highlights that Brazil holds strategic importance for the WBA due to its vast potential, large population, and abundance of organic waste. 

“Brazil is absolutely one of our priority countries. It’s a large country, large population, beautiful country and a lot of organic waste, which creates a huge opportunity for Brazil”.

To support the growth of biogas in Brazil, the WBA is developing a dedicated roadmap, complementing the initiatives already underway by the government and local associations.

Standardization and certification

For Charlotte, establishing clear standards and standardizing biogas certification are fundamental to ensuring safety, health, and environmental protection at biogas plants,  as well as optimizing the use of existing infrastructure.

“The International Certification Scheme sets minimum standards for the health, safety and environmental performance of a biogas plant, which is also critical”, Charlotte emphasized.

Adopting these standards not only ensures the proper functioning of the plants but also strengthens the industry’s reputation, dispels negative perceptions, and attracts investment for more sustainable growth.

Check out the recommendations from our guest:

Book – Invisible Women: exposing data bias in a world designed for men –  Caroline Criado Perez.

Follow our guest: Charlotte Morton

Follow our host: Vanice Nakano

Listen on Spotify 

This episode is sponsored by Ultragaz. 

By supporting the Amplum podcast, Ultragaz joins forces with us in our mission to spread knowledge about biogas and biomethane.

Curious about how Ultragaz became both a key ally and a leading player in the energy transition? Click here to find out!