Fueling Change: India's Biogas Revolution

As climate change is starting to shift the reality of our Earth and its inhabitants, nations worldwide are trying to combat global warming. These efforts include reducing carbon emissions, recycling, and transitioning from oil to electricity and alternative fuels. While this transition is timely, and many nations have given themselves decades to reach their goal, nations have already started to take the initiative in creating a healthier and more eco-friendly environment. Biogas may have emerged as the answer to achieving their decarbonization goals in India.

Biogas is an alternative renewable energy source that can serve as a replacement for oil. It comprises raw materials such as sewage, manure, wastewater, food waste, and plant material. Biogas can support heat and electricity and can be converted to biomethane, which can be used as fuel. It helps the environment as the biogas can be reused instead of dispersed into the atmosphere. With India being the world's third largest contributor of carbon emissions, with 2,674 million tons of total carbon emissions in 2021, the switch to biogas can help combat climate change dramatically.

The journey to zero-net emissions is long, but the transition to biogas already has a significant effect. Biogas and biomethane production is increasing yearly, with biogas making up 20% of India’s consumption of energy sources. India aims to spend much less on natural gas to cut import bills by $29 billion between 2025 and 2030. The primary goal for many nations worldwide is to obtain net-zero emissions within the next few decades. However, India will have to take longer to reach this goal as its population is the highest globally. They are aiming for 2070 to be able to provide alternative renewable energy for their 1.4 billion citizens.  To help speed the process, India has started to implement policy changes in that market segment.

Not only will the transition to biogas improve the nation's carbon emissions, but it will also provide solutions to other issues. These issues include controlling waste management, producing renewable energy, and motivation to keep reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Compressed biogas directly replaces compressed natural gas, so the substitution can dramatically improve the environment and atmosphere. An analyst from IEEFA noted that removing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide can increase methane in the content to 90%.

Despite the benefits of using biogas as an alternative fuel source, India has needed help incorporating biogas and growing its use across the country. Acquiring permits for these projects is complicated in India, and many players in the sector would prefer to wait to start the transition. India is offering financial support to assist these companies to speed up the process. Another major factor when using biogas is creating the space to operate in. To do so, India will have to convert forests and wetlands into agricultural land, which can lead to debates and problems. During the G20 summit, India introduced the global biofuel alliance. The global biofuel alliance is treating with focus and money and is committed to helping the transition and promotion of biogas. With the United States, Brazil, and India being the world’s biggest biofuel producers, they collaborate to help promote this alliance and create a healthier environment for humanity.

Through this initiative, nations worldwide will join Brazil, India, and the United States in this alliance. With more nations committed to reducing carbon emissions, the top biogas producers can see a window of opportunity for profit. India can use the transition to renewable energy sources as a business opportunity and provide smaller nations with biogas. This will increase the production and use of biogas nationwide, which can lead to both financial and environmental success. The competitors for renewable energy sources include biogas, solar, hydropower, and wind energy. Countries such as China and Germany have already tapped into this market and are mass producers and suppliers of biogas, with Germany being the producer of biogas in Europe. With China and the United States making up nearly 90% of biogas production, the market is highly competitive but can lead to massive success. Entering the new era of society, finding innovative and resourceful ways to combat climate change can lead to businesses and nations finding immense success.