Biotech Updates

UK Government Invites Discussions on the Future of Energy from Waste

July 9, 2010

The UK government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has recently published a press release invitation to discuss the potential use of anaerobic digestion in the production of energy from waste. Climate change Minister Greg Barker and Environment Minister Lord Henley have jointly chaired an Anaerobic Digestion Round Table with the industry.

Minister Baker emphasized the importance of investigating the possibilities of using anaerobic digestion technology. This strategy will be useful in today's challenge of building an economy that cuts carbon emissions, ensures energy security, and creates jobs to help bring back economic prosperity. Lord Henley on the other hand opined that "The coalition government has pledged to be the greenest ever, and anaerobic digestion can help us achieve this goal. We're getting straight to work with industry, farmers, the financial sector and other experts who can help make it a reality".

An action plan derived from the round table discussion of the July 6 meeting would contain an assessment of the economic capacity for anaerobic digestion industry and the steps to be taken by the government and industry in the realization of this goal.

For details, see the press release at  http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/2010/07/06/anaerobic-digestion/