Promoting agricultural biogas and biomethane production: Lessons from cross-country studies

Highlights: • The timeline of biogas and biomethane development is presented with various drivers. • Emerging issues are identified regarding large-scale implementation. • Topics include policy instruments, farm intensification, supply chain risks. • Learnings are discussed for countries seeking to stimulate biogas development. -- Abstract: While a rich body of literature has looked at greenhouse gas emissions in biogas production systems and the potential impacts of biogas production on food supply, broader issues relating to the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainability need to be carefully considered. Drawing upon experiences from European countries, key outcomes associated with large-scale implementation of biogas and biomethane production are identified. Topics of particular interest include policy instruments, farm intensification, and supply chain risks. Conclusions are drawn by recommending policy directions for countries such as Ireland that are at earlier developmental stages for biogas and biomethane deployment.