For starters, since biogenic CO2 emissions come from biomass, part of the natural carbon cycle, they don’t contribute to climate change like fossil fuel emissions do. Accurately measuring your biogenic CO2 emissions can help you better comply with environmental regulations and meet net-zero targets.
However, for those industries required to monitor biogenic CO2 emissions, accurate reporting is not only paramount for regulatory compliance. It also unlocks the ability to take full advantage of associated financial incentives and initiatives.
We take a closer look at four industries, all of which are required to monitor biogenic emissions, and how businesses are turning this into a competitive advantage.
1. Cement manufacture
The cement industry is a major contributor to global emissions, producing 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, representing around 8% of the world’s total. This is because the core chemical processes involved in cement production are inherently carbon-intensive. But this only makes decarbonizing other areas more important.
Heidelberg Materials is pioneering “net-zero concrete” that mitigates emissions with carbon capture at its flagship plant in Brevik, Norway. Many other cement producers are switching from coal to biomass fuels like wood waste and sewage sludge to heat their kilns. These produce 5-15% biogenic CO2, helping offset their overall greenhouse gas emissions.
CaptureMap notes this trend is higher in Europe (emitting 5.8 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 versus 900,000 in North America). This will help many plants get ready for the EU phasing out free allowances for the industry under its Emissions Trading Scheme in 2034.
The commitment to process transparency and achieving net zero is commendable, but it’s also reliant on highly accurate data. Something the AMESA-B has been proven to consistently deliver across industries. The AMESA-B, a fully automated and compliant sampler helps determine the fraction of fossil and biogenic CO2 emissions. The AMESA-B captures plant data throughout the month, before being submitted for lab analysis through an accredited laboratory and verified.
2. Waste-to-energy incinerators
Waste-to-energy (also known as energy-from-waste) incinerators burn waste to produce heat and electricity. This is often household waste and can include a mix of food, plastics, paper and other materials that can’t be recycled or reclaimed.
A total of 55 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 is emitted from 557 waste-to-energy plants in Europe where waste incineration is much more common, and North America.
From 1 January 2026, the waste-to-energy sector in the UK must start monitoring, reporting and verifying carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. The industry will then have to comply with the emissions trading scheme from 2028. In the EU, incinerators are already required to report emissions and will also have to cap them from 2028.
The AMESA-B offers technological advancements to current sampling methodology. This Ofgem-approved, automated and continuous sampling system only requires technicians to replace a monthly sample cartridge.
Read how we helped a Portsmouth-based incinerator prove its biogenic CO2 emissions were over 50% with AMESA-B, making it eligible for Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROCs) allowances.
3. Pulp and paper production
Making paper and cardboard generates substantial biogenic CO2 emissions. In North America, 140 paper mills report 108 million tonnes annually, while 137 mills in Europe emit 69 million tonnes. Recovery boilers, which burn an organic waste product called ‘black liquor’ to salvage valuable chemicals that can be reused in the pulping process, account for two-thirds of biogenic CO2.
Papermaking is also heat-intensive. Around 60% of its energy comes from burning biomass, including so-called ‘hog fuel’, waste wood leftover from making virgin pulp. While advances in heat pumps might one day reduce process emissions, International Paper plans to sequester 120,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 a year in a carbon capture pilot project with Amazon. Others are experimenting with turning it into ethanol.
4. Biomass power generation
Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy globally, accounting for almost 55%. But the industry isn’t a monolith. Plants use a variety of different fuels for different applications, producing power to just heat. Some were also built specifically for biomass, while others have been converted from coal. This means the share of biogenic CO2 can vary much more than you might expect, making the need for accurate measurement even more important.
In Europe, there are a total of 146 facilities emitting a total of 50 million tonnes of biogenic CO2 annually. In North America, around 380 emit 30 million tonnes a year. The Drax power station in the UK provides 11% of the country’s renewable power from biomass and has invested heavily in carbon capture. It’s also exploring innovative applications for captured flue gases, such as cultivating proteins for sustainable fish food.
5. Ready to seize the biogenic CO2 opportunity?
Accurately report biogenic CO2 emissions with AMESA-B. It continuously samples flue gas with a method that fulfils the requirements of EN ISO 13833 for unmatched accuracy and traceability. Leak checks pre- and post-sampling ensure a precise flow sample rate, while a fail-safe sensor prevents cartridge oversaturation for reliable results.
