The European Biogas Association (EBA) has welcomed the European Commission’s proposed target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. This, the EBA says, "reaffirms the EU’s determination to tackle climate change and shape our path after 2030, to ensure the EU reaches climate neutrality by 2050. It also sends a strong signal that deep decarbonisation across all sectors is both necessary and achievable."
The proposed amendment to the EU Climate Law places a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040 at its core. This target reaffirms the EU’s determination to tackle climate change beyond 2030 on the path to reach climate neutrality by 2050.
After formal adoption by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, the regulation will be legally binding and directly applicable across all Member States once it enters into force.
Biogases can deliver
According to the EBA, biogases are “uniquely positioned” to support this transition. As fully renewable, domestically produced energy sources, they can directly reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as heating, transport, and industry.
Today, biogases already deliver 22 billion cubic meters (bcm) of renewable gas to the European market.
With EUR 28 billion in private investments expected in the coming years, the sector is poised to scale significantly, potentially reaching 101 bcm by 2040 and covering more than 80 percent of the EU’s current gas consumption.
Despite its transformative potential, the biogases sector remains overlooked in EU energy and climate policies.
Call to endorse a 100 bcm target…
To change this, the EBA recently published a Roadmap towards 2040, urging the European Commission and Member States to endorse a 100 bcm biogases target for 2040 and launch the European Biogases Charter by 2025.
These actions are vital to establish biogases as a strategic asset in the post-2030 legislative architecture for the achievement of EU climate and energy goals.
Biogases also offer significant potential in carbon dioxide removal (CDR), also addressed in the Commission’s proposal.
The biogases sector is expected to lead biogenic carbon dioxide (bioCO2) capture in Europe by 2027, according to the latest EBA data.
The sector can enable the cost-effective and scalable capture of bioCO2, helping to replace fossil-based CO2 and offering a reliable source for long-term storage.
By 2040, the technical potential for biogenic carbon capture from biomethane plants could reach 89 million tonnes of CO2 annually. This represents a substantial contribution to the EU’s overall carbon capture target of 344 million tonnes per annum.
… and a clear, forward-looking policy framework
To fully realise this potential, a clear and forward-looking policy framework is essential. EBA sees great value in setting an EU-wide target for biogenic carbon capture alongside a sectoral roadmap for sustainable carbon management.
Such a target would provide market certainty, guide investment, and highlight the priority role of sustainable carbon sources in the EU’s net-zero strategy.
Following the setting of the target for 2040, the European Commission will prepare a policy architecture beyond 2030.
The Commission envisages a potential role for the limited use of high-quality international credits as of 2036, as well as incentives to build a business case for domestic permanent biogenic carbon removals to compensate for residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.
The EBA says that it “stands ready to work closely with policymakers to define a concrete pathway for biogenic carbon capture and removals by 2040 and 2050. The biogases sector offers proven solutions, technological readiness, and a strong investment pipeline, making it a key ally in delivering the EU’s climate objectives.”
