Air Liquide has announced a significant step forward in its biomethane production practices. The company has adopted a new internal charter, developed in collaboration with WWF France and various field experts. This charter goes beyond current regulations and establishes a framework for measuring and tracking progress towards more sustainable biomethane production across the industry.
Recognizing the interconnectedness of renewable energy production, waste management, and agriculture, Air Liquide’s new charter focuses on four key sustainability pillars:
- Efficient Energy Transition: Maximizing plant efficiency and prioritizing the use of renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
- Promoting Agroecological Practices: Encouraging reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and diversification of agricultural practices.
- Local Ecosystems and Circular Economy: Minimizing competition between food and feedstock production, favoring local feedstock sourcing, and promoting responsible digestate management.
- Biodiversity and Environmental Risk Prevention: Supporting stakeholders in adopting safety standards, and monitoring potential impacts on soil, water, and air quality.
By partnering with WWF France and industry and academic experts, Air Liquide has developed a comprehensive sustainability assessment methodology. This methodology, paired with the new charter, provides actionable performance indicators for investment governance. Furthermore, it establishes a clear roadmap with key sustainability fundamentals that future biomethane projects will be expected to follow.
Armelle Levieux, member of Air Liquide’s Executive Committee supervising innovation including Biogas Solutions activities commented: “The success of energy transition calls for global joint efforts and shared standards. With its 30 years of expertise in biomethane technologies and unique position across its entire value chain on a global scale, Air Liquide is committed to act as a driving force in the development of sustainable biomethane production, for its own production and for the benefit of the whole ecosystem.”
