World Biogas Association And São Paulo State Sign Historic Agreement To Advance Green Energy Transition

Landmark partnership unveiled on World Environment Day will accelerate biogas development and energy transition in Brazil’s most industrialised state

The World Biogas Association (WBA) has signed a historic agreement with the Brazilian State Government of São Paulo, launching a strategic partnership to implement the #MakingBiogasHappen programme – a global initiative unlocking the full potential of anaerobic digestion (AD) and biogas for climate action, energy security, waste management, and the circular economy.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr Pradeep Monga, Senior Advisor and Policy Director at WBA, and Ms Natália Resende, Secretary for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics of São Paulo State in the presence of Mr. Tarcísio de Freitas, Governor of São Paulo.

Announced today on World Environment Day, 5 June 2025, in São Paulo, the agreement lays the groundwork for adapting and implementing the programme’s two flagship initiatives – the Global Biogas Regulatory Framework and the Anaerobic Digestion Certification Scheme International (ADCS International) – across the state. These tools will support governments in attracting investment, delivering high-performance biogas infrastructure, and developing effective, locally tailored policies to scale biogas sustainably.

“This agreement is a major milestone for biogas development in Brazil,” said Dr Pradeep Monga, Senior Advisor and Policy Director at WBA, who represented the organisation at the signing. “São Paulo has the technical capacity, infrastructure and political will to lead the country’s transition to a circular, low-carbon economy powered by biogas. We are proud to work alongside the state government to develop and implement a biogas action plan based on international best practice, adapted to local conditions and needs. This is a model that can be scaled nationwide and globally.”

Backed by the highest biomethane potential in Brazil – estimated at 25 billion Nm³ per year – and a well-developed gas pipeline network, São Paulo is ideally positioned to become a hub for sustainable biomethane production. If fully realised, this capacity could supply nearly half of the state's natural gas demand, replace up to 25% of its diesel use – particularly in heavy transport – and reduce emissions by up to 24.5 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, representing 16% of its 2050 target. The biomethane value chain also has the potential to generate up to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Scope of the agreement
The agreement outlines four priority areas for collaboration between WBA and the Brazilian State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (Semil):

• Developing and implementing biogas policies and standards using the Global Biogas Regulatory Framework;
• Improving safety, environmental performance and operational excellence through ADCS International certification;
• Strengthening investment readiness for Public–Private Partnerships and concessional projects;
• Promoting knowledge exchange and capacity-building across Brazil’s emerging biogas market.

“This collaboration reflects the growing global recognition of biogas as a cornerstone of climate resilience, clean energy, waste management and development strategies,” added Dr Monga. “As the world prepares for COP30 in Belém, hosted under the Presidency of Brazil, this agreement shows what real ambition and progress look like – pragmatic, locally driven, and globally aligned vision and concrete action on the ground.”

This partnership forms a key component of São Paulo’s State Energy Plan 2050 (PEE 2050), which seeks to achieve a near-zero carbon energy matrix and increase the share of renewables in the economy.

Natália Resende, Secretary for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics for the Brazilian State of São Paulo, welcomed the partnership as a vital step in delivering the state’s clean energy vision:

“With this agreement with WBA, we aim to attract international investors, expand training opportunities, and promote the exchange of best practices and regulatory improvements for the sector.”

She added that the partnership would also support the circular economy – a model that reuses resources within a closed production cycle, helping reduce waste and environmental impact:

“We expect to join efforts and increase efficiency in shaping public policies that scale up biogas production in the state, thereby creating an enabling environment for new business opportunities and the generation of jobs and income.”

Marisa Maia de Barros, Under Secretary for Energy and Mining at SEMIL, echoed this view:

"The signing of the MoU with the World Biogas Association, a global reference in the sector, marks a strategic milestone for the energy transition and the strengthening of the biomethane market in our state. This agreement reinforces the state’s commitment to decarbonising and the circular economy.

“We expect to join efforts and increase efficiency in shaping public policies that scale up biogas production in the state, thereby creating an enabling environment for new business opportunities and the generation of jobs and income.”

WBA will continue working with Brazilian stakeholders – including federal ministries, regional consortia and industry partners – to expand the #MakingBiogasHappen programme in the lead-up to COP30 and beyond.

About The World Biogas Association (WBA):
The World Biogas Association (WBA) is the global trade body for the biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digestion (AD) sectors. It promotes the worldwide adoption of biogas to deliver clean energy and address global challenges in climate, health and development.

About The São Paulo State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (SEMIL), Brazil
SEMIL (Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística) is the São Paulo State Government department responsible for integrating environmental policy with infrastructure and logistics planning. SEMIL oversees areas including environmental protection, sanitation, energy, water resources, mining and transport.

About Biogas
Biogas is primarily composed of biomethane (CH₄) and biogeniccarbon dioxide (CO₂), typically around 50–70% biomethane and 30–50% bioCO₂, with small amounts of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), water vapour, and other trace gases. Biogas can be upgraded by extracting the bioCO2 and removing impurities to leave biomethane (also known as renewable natural gas, RNG) – a renewable gas for transport, heating, and grid injection. The high-purity biogenic CO₂ can be used for industrial and commercial use.

About Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a circular process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms to break down organic wastes in the absence of oxygen, producing renewable energy and valuable bio co-products. Alongside biogas, AD generates nutrient-rich biofertiliser (digestate), biogenic CO₂ for industrial use, and other valuable bioproducts. Treated water and recovered nutrients add further value, supporting climate goals, resource efficiency, and new revenue streams across multiple sectors.