Biogenic CO2 from biogases: key to Europe’s carbon strategy
Brussels, 25/09/2025 – The European Biogas Association (EBA) today launched a comprehensive paper exploring the valorisation of biogenic CO₂ from the biogas sector, enabling the EU’s carbon strategy to reduce emissions and support a sustainable, low-carbon economy as a scalable and competitive solution.
Europe’s CO₂ demand is rising, driven by emerging markets and stricter regulations for green products and industrial decarbonisation. Biogenic CO₂ from the biogas sector can meet this demand while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the latest EBA data, the biogas sector is set to become a leading industry in bio-CO₂ capture in Europe within the next few years. By 2040, EU biomethane plants could capture up to 89 million tonnes (Mt) of biogenic CO₂ annually, more than 25% of the carbon capture required to meet the EU Climate Law targets. This would make a significant contribution to the EU’s overall carbon capture goal of 344 million tonnes per year.
In the biogas sector, bio-CO₂ captured during upgrading can either be stored underground (BioCCS) or used as a raw material for e-fuels, chemicals, building materials, greenhouses, and food and beverage production. Unlike fossil CO₂, which releases long-stored carbon into the atmosphere, biogenic CO₂ is part of the natural carbon cycle and does not increase the overall content of CO2 in the atmosphere, making it a sustainable option that can achieve net or negative CO2 removals.
The biogas sector is already capturing biogenic CO₂ in a cost-effective and scalable way. Currently, 125 plants capture 1.17 Mt of CO₂ annually, equivalent to around 14% of Europe’s merchant liquid and solid CO₂ demand. By 2027, capture capacity is expected to exceed 2 Mt. Additional opportunities exist from the expansion of gasification, biohydrogen production or flue gas capture.
EBA CEO Harmen Dekker said: “Biogenic CO₂ from the biogas sector is key to achieving Europe’s energy transition and climate objectives. The sector is strategically positioned as an affordable pathway, and it will become increasingly important in the near future. With the right standardisation and policy framework, it can fully contribute to the EU’s carbon strategy.”
Alongside the white paper, EBA has released an interactive map of biomethane plants in Europe that are currently or will soon capture CO₂, available exclusively to EBA members.
- Download EBA Paper Biogenic CO2 from Biomethane
- Watch the Recording of the Launch Webinar
- Download the Presentation from the Launch Webinar
Contacts
Fanny Lamon, EBA Senior Communications Officer lamon@europeanbiogas.eu
Pablo Molina, EBA Technical and Project Officer molina@europeanbiogas.eu
About the European Biogas Association (EBA)
EBA fully believes in the future potential of renewable gas in Europe. Founded in 2009, the association is committed to the deployment of sustainable biogas and biomethane production and use throughout the continent. EBA counts today on a well-established network that represent over 8,000 stakeholders across Europe, including national associations, companies and research organisations covering the whole biogas and biomethane value chain.
About biogenic CO2
Biogenic CO2 is the carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting from the decomposition, digestion, chemical reaction or combustion of biomass-derived products.
