Sustainability Impact
WABIO is committed to working towards a sustainable future.
WABIO captures the methane naturally produced by the decomposition of organic matter, that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The captured methane is transformed into biomethane, then into electricity, bio CNG or bio LNG. When used, these methane-sourced products release filtered CO2 into the atmosphere. This usage replaces the use of fossil-based fuels, or brings energy where there is none available. As such, biogas forms a strong part of the energy transition and waste management solutions during the 25+ year biogas plant lifecycle.
WABIO aim to balance energy efficiency and emission reduction, while protecting the environment and the interests of farmers. Our commitments and philosophy extends to our partners, stakeholders, customers, and the communities where our plants are built.
We believe that working sustainably and responsibly is the only way to achieve long-term success.
The following key activities augment WABIO’s contribution to reducing GHG emissions and curbing the effects of climate change.
The digestate, byproduct of the waste’s anaerobic digestion contains captured carbon. It can be enriched and used as organic fertilizer that is distributed to farmers and put back into the soils, which has a large ESG impact.
In WABIO plants, the CO2 emitted from biogas combustion to produce electricity is processed, cleaned from Sulfur (H2S) content, therefore avoiding the release of extremely polluting hydrogen sulfide into the atmosphere.
WABIO plants reprocess and reuse any water coming from its waste in a circular manner. Excess water is recycled before it goes back into the ecosystem.
WABIO plants reuse its bacteria in a circular manner, thereby minimizing manmade interventions and on-site travels for an autonomous bacterial processing.
Regulatory drivers
WABIO follows REDII in Europe and European Climate Law (originating from the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 Package) and each national incentive to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
As an example, WABIO follows the German Federal Climate Change Act for Germany, and the Energy Community Treaty in Serbia, which is committed to setting up 2030 energy and climate targets at a level of ambition equalling that of the EU. This was reinforced with the Podgorica Statement on Clean Energy Transition, signed by the Ministries of Energy and Environment, and endorsed by the Heads of State and Government at the 2019 Western Balkans Summit in Poznań.
Greenhouse gas emissions measurement and tracking
In terms of reducing global warming, the greatest gains of WABIO plants derive from use of biogas in a gas engine producing both heat and power (cogeneration). Use of ‘green gas’ in households or transport, as bio-LNG, and direct use in boilers lead to around a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The carbon emissions of WABIO are tightly monitored in each of its scopes of emissions.
Scope 1 [Carbon emissions produced as a direct result of activities at the sites, such as the use of vehicles and back-up solutions (e.g., natural gas) to ensure the network is fully operational at all times]: WABIO uses one forklift truck per 2.4MWel site to handle feedstock. That is the only emission of a running plant. WABIO uses its own green gas to operate.
Scope 2 [Carbon emissions from the consumption of electricity for the plant to produce low-carbon heat]: WABIO plants are self-sufficient, using no other electric power other than their own produced green power. Therefore, WABIO’s CO2 emission is much reduced from fossil fuel-based energy sources.
Scope 3 – Upstream [all other emissions within the supply chain, e.g., from purchased goods, business travel and leased assets such as the office]: WABIO’s modus operandi is to contain its footprint, sourcing feedstock from an area of 20km.
Scope 3 – Downstream [All other emissions within the supply chain, e.g., from use of sold products]: WABIO is connected to the grid for electricity production; the same applies when Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is produced.
