Why accuracy in CO2 Measurements in Waste-to-Energy emissions monitoring matters more than ever
10 March, 2025
Why WtE sites are relying on CO2 measurements to meet standards.
With coal undergoing a gradual phaseout as a power feedstock in Europe and the UK, attention is now shifting to the emissions footprint of the sources of power generation seeking to replace it.
Alongside natural gas, the waste-to-energy (WtE) sector is becoming a significant proportion of the energy mix, partly due to its ability to replace coals as a source of continuously available baseload power unlike intermittent renewable sources such as wind and solar. While media attention increasingly focuses on the level of carbon emissions from burning biomass feedstocks, WtE also plays a crucial role in diverting waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions, and providing a more sustainable waste management solution.
The strategy to counter this narrative is the effective recording and transparent reporting of CO2 emissions data. This means not simply reporting the total CO2 emissions from biomass combustion, but differentiating the proportion of CO2 produced from biogenic sources – emissions that are released from sources such as food waste, paper and wood, which naturally release CO2 during combustion or decomposition as part of the natural carbon cycle, and whose emissions are considered carbon-neutral when managed sustainably.
By distinguishing between biogenic and fossil-derived emissions – for instance, plastics or synthetic materials derived from hydrocarbons, which release CO2 considered to have been previously stored in their fossil state – WtE operators can not only improve stakeholder credibility, but create mechanisms supporting environmental legislation, attract further investment, and position WtE as a viable participant in the circular economy.
Operators must make progress in three areas. On-site, the adoption of emissions monitoring technologies will be mandatory for measurement, with the installation of continuous sampling systems that correspond to ISO standard 13833 / EN ISO 13833, established in July 2013 to standardise the procedure for determining the proportion of biogenic CO2 in the total CO2 content produced in an emission stream. The system itself is ideally installed as a complete system solution, such as ENVEA’s AMESA-B sampling system, which ensures the consistent, stable sample capture required to achieve an accurate and reliable CO2 measurement result.
Secondly, third-party verification of CO2 data to enhance credibility and transparency builds trust. This can be obtained by third-party analysis of the emissions sample data using a certified laboratory, carrying out the biogenic analysis with the specified procedure of 14C radiocarbon dating.
Finally, the adoption and adherence to global and regional compliance standards, such as ISO standard 13833 / EN ISO 13833 for emissions reporting, will build trust that the biomass combustion process is an acceptable means of supporting decarbonization and net-zero energy goals.
The benefits of biogenic CO2 measurement are wide-ranging. Accurate biogenic CO2 reporting serves as a proactive measure of communicating the benefits of biomass by providing factual, science-based evidence of WtE’s environmental impact. It allows operators to engage in informed discussions with stakeholders, by demonstrating commitment to responsible emissions management in line with international standards.
Biogenic CO2 emissions data not only enables WtE operators to align with environmental legislation but also to qualify for financial incentives such as carbon credits or renewable energy subsidies. And the rules are changing: regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), are imposing legally binding accountability to WtE operators for their CO2 emissions. For instance, the United Kingdom will have to monitor their CO2 emissions from 1 January 2026, while both the UK and European Union will impose a cap on biomass CO2 emissions in 2028. Only biogenic CO2 reporting ensures compliance with these mandates.
To achieve this, accurate biogenic CO2 reporting is an increasingly powerful tool for WtE operators –evolving beyond pure compliance to become the principle means of strengthening industry reputation in the rapidly changing regulatory landscape, and a conduit for new investment. At the base of all this opportunity is the accurate acquisition and analysis of biogenic emissions data, which ENVEA and the AMESA-B deliver as a single, complete, reliable and credible solution. It is an investment that protects the planet, protects operator profit, and will help protect the future of WtE itself.
Why WtE sites are relying on CO2 measurements to meet standards.
Understanding and, most importantly, accurately measuring your business’s Biogenic CO2 emissions can offer many business opportunities.