Biomethane certification scheme wins M&S's backing as buyer

UK supermarket Marks & Spencer (M&S) has purchased the majority of Biomethane Certificates (BMCs) from the green gas being produced at Future Biogas's £8 million (€10 million) biomethane plant in Doncaster.

The BMCs, registered with Green Gas Trading (GGT) in the name of Future Biogas, represent the green (bio) element of the biomethane produced at the plant, rather than the physical gas itself. The certificates allow M&S to demonstrate that it has decarbonised its existing gas supply without affecting any existing contractual arrangements in place across its UK stores.

Head of energy supply at M&S, Gio Patellaro, says: 'We are committed to maintaining our carbon neutrality by investing in renewable energy. We have become a member of GGT, having signed an agreement to become a long-term buyer of Biomethane Certificates from Future Biogas' Doncaster gas-to-grid plant.

'After careful consideration of the market, we were particularly attracted by the lifecycle carbon analysis which is embedded in the Biomethane Certification Scheme's methodology, which will allow M&S to decarbonise our gas supply whilst simultaneously supporting the anaerobic digestion industry.'

As Grant Ashton, CEO of GGT, explains: 'The BMCs methodology certificates are embedded carbon in the biomethane production process and are key to the acceptance of biomethane certificates as an offset for carbon reporting purposes.'