Anaerobic digestion strategy launched: statement by Greg Barker

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker has today welcomed the publication of the Coalition Government’s Anaerobic Digestion strategy and action plan.

Greg Barker said:

“Letting rubbish and waste rot in landfill is madness when we can use it to power our homes and cars. We are already making it financially attractive to turn waste into electricity under the Feed-in Tariffs scheme and soon there’ll be similar incentives to generate heat too. The Anaerobic Digestion strategy and action plan will help us unlock the potential to get more energy from waste to reduce emissions in the fight against climate change.”

Key actions in the Government’s Anaerobic Digestion (AD) strategy and action plan include:

• guidance on the cost and benefits of AD to developers and local authorities
• evidence on the value of digestates
• developing skills and training for AD operators
• highlighting ‘best practice’ projects that deliver community benefits

AD offers a local, environmentally sound option for waste management that helps us divert waste from landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce renewable energy that could be used to power our homes and vehicles. Farmers and gardeners can also benefit from the fertiliser produced, returning valuable nutrients to the land.

Read the Government’s AD strategy on the Defra website