With three biogas-related events to be held in the same metropolitan area, this year’s World Biogas Summit promises to bring together “movers and shakers” from across the global anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas sectors.

The World Biogas Summit and World Biogas Expo, which will take place on July 9 and 10, are co-located at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, in the UK, while the prestigious AD & Biogas Industry Awards will also take place in Birmingham, at the National Conference Centre.

The summit, organised by the World Biogas Association (WBA), is referred to as the premier global thought-leadership forum for the AD and biogas sector.

“This year, in line with the growth of the industry worldwide, WBA anticipates a greater footfall than the over 2 200 delegates that attended last year,” says WBA Chief Executive Charlotte Morton OBE.

She adds that the delegates attend the event with the aim of learning and cooperating on actions that will help scale investments, promote smart policies and innovative technologies as well as foster strategic partnerships in the biogas and ancillary industries.

The event organisers will be drawing exclusive speakers from platforms including intergovernmental organisations such as the UN, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.

The World Biogas Summit also resonates with entities with significant biogas potential, given the scale and nature of their waste generation. These include food and beverage giant PepsiCo, global integrated energy company TotalEnergies and the government of India, among other international biogas stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on the critical role of biogas in addressing climate change and enhancing energy and food security, as well as delivering on global climate commitments such as the Paris Agreement.

Notably the 2025 summit will address the themes that are expected to shape the international climate agenda, including air quality, decarbonising agriculture and the food transition, climate finance, and the evolving role of ‘Big Oil’ in the biogas transition.

Importantly, anaerobic digestion and biogas technologies offer scalable solutions across all these domains.

“With November’s COP 30 negotiations set to discuss issues uniquely addressed by AD, the World Biogas Summit 2025 will provide crucial insights into how biogas can help deliver on these pressing global priorities,” says Morton.

Showing Off

The World Biogas Expo, jointly organised by WBA and the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), promises to be “bigger and better” than the 2024 iteration and will feature at least 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and solutions across the industry.

The expo incorporates conference areas located in the NEC’s ‘Engine Room’ and Summit theatres, as well as a dedicated exhibition area, explains Morton.

She adds that the Engine Room theatre will host a “packed” programme of technical talks on plant optimisation, carbon markets and next-generation technology.

A Farmers’ Breakfast will bring together AD plant operators, agricultural experts and policy makers, while a biogas plant site visit will offer attendees a unique opportunity to tour a working AD facility.

The addition of a range of networking events will help to connect technology developers, project owners, investors and policy makers, and the VIP lounge offers ADBA and WBA members, exhibitors and sponsors a quieter place to network and recharge.

Development

On July 9, the AD & Biogas Industry Awards and Gala Dinner will celebrate excellence across 11 categories, honouring innovation, operational best practice, and inspirational leadership in the global AD and biogas community.

The awards span categories that address Health, Safety and Wellbeing; Women in Biogas; AD Hero of the Year; Best Anaerobic Digestion/Biogas Support; Net Zero Circular Solutions; Education Campaign of the Year; Best Biogas Plant Below 1MWe Equivalent; Best Biogas Plant Above 1MWe Equivalent; Micro AD Initiative; AD Rising Star; and Research and Innovation.

The award winners, who will be judged by an expert panel featuring representatives from the global biogas sector, exemplify the innovation, dedication and progress driving the shift towards sustainable circular economy solutions to address waste and energy issues.

WBA is thrilled to announce that the awards ceremony will be hosted by impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner, an award-winning British satirist and television personality.

“The event promises another memorable evening of celebration, networking and industry recognition,” concludes Morton.