UK risks “serious embarrassment” at COP26, says ADBA
The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) released a statement announcing that it will redouble its efforts to highlight the potential of biogas following the UK Government Cabinet reshuffle last week.
The Cabinet reshuffle took place on Thursday 13 February, welcoming new MPs into roles concerning the environment and climate change. Alok Sharma MP was appointed as the new President of the United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26) and George Eustice MP took on the role of Secretary of State for the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, ADBA warned that the UK risks "serious embarrassment" at COP26 if it does not show proper leadership in the fight to reduce emissions.
Charlotte Morton, ADBA’s chief executive, said: “We congratulate Mr Sharma and Mr Eustice on their appointments at a critical time for environmental policy in the UK ahead of COP26. These ministerial changes in the middle of a climate emergency mean that we, ADBA, must redouble our efforts to convey to policymakers the critical need to develop a green, circular economy that will boost business and employment in the country.
“Ahead of COP26, the UK must show strong leadership and commitment on environmental issues or risk serious embarrassment. In particular, it must clearly state its strategy to meet the net zero by 2050 target that it has set for the country.
“We strongly believe that there is no net zero without biogas, and we are determined to demonstrate the huge contribution that anaerobic digestion – a mature, ready-to-use technology - can make towards achieving the UK’s goals. Biogas is the only sector that can deliver a 6% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions across heat, transport, waste and agriculture by 2030 and could directly create more than 30,000 new jobs over that time.
“Time is of the essence, and we trust the new ministers’ experience and understanding of environmental and climate change issues will enable them to recognise the vital role of AD in achieving net zero and commit to supporting the deployment of AD and biogas across the UK economy without delay.”
The Cabinet reshuffle took place on Thursday 13 February, welcoming new MPs into roles concerning the environment and climate change. Alok Sharma MP was appointed as the new President of the United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26) and George Eustice MP took on the role of Secretary of State for the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra). However, ADBA warned that the UK risks "serious embarrassment" at COP26 if it does not show proper leadership in the fight to reduce emissions.
Charlotte Morton, ADBA’s chief executive, said: “We congratulate Mr Sharma and Mr Eustice on their appointments at a critical time for environmental policy in the UK ahead of COP26. These ministerial changes in the middle of a climate emergency mean that we, ADBA, must redouble our efforts to convey to policymakers the critical need to develop a green, circular economy that will boost business and employment in the country.
“Ahead of COP26, the UK must show strong leadership and commitment on environmental issues or risk serious embarrassment. In particular, it must clearly state its strategy to meet the net zero by 2050 target that it has set for the country.
“We strongly believe that there is no net zero without biogas, and we are determined to demonstrate the huge contribution that anaerobic digestion – a mature, ready-to-use technology - can make towards achieving the UK’s goals. Biogas is the only sector that can deliver a 6% reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions across heat, transport, waste and agriculture by 2030 and could directly create more than 30,000 new jobs over that time.
“Time is of the essence, and we trust the new ministers’ experience and understanding of environmental and climate change issues will enable them to recognise the vital role of AD in achieving net zero and commit to supporting the deployment of AD and biogas across the UK economy without delay.”
