Showcase: Unlocking Biogas Value Chains in Brazil: Insights from Public and Private Sectors (UNIDO)

Brazil’s energy sector is one of the least carbon-intensive in the world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables meet almost 45% of primary energy demand. To put this into context, the global average is around 14% (IEA, 2021). While natural resources and socio-economic conditions play a crucial role, the Brazilian energy matrix results from successive strategic actions and policies promoting investment in sustainable energy value chains.

Bioenergy is the largest contributor to renewable energy supply in the country. It consists mainly of solid biomass for renewable heat, particularly in industries, and liquid biofuels used in the transport sector (IEA Bioenergy, 2021). Despite their potential, biogas and biomethane still play a minor role in the country’s energy supply.

According to ABiogás (2021), Brazil could generate 83 million cubic meters of biogas per year. In light of this vast potential, the Biogas Applications in the Brazilian Agroindustry Project, popularly known as Brazil GEF Biogas Project, has collaborated with local and international stakeholders to foster the integration of biogas in local value chains. Besides the economic and social benefits, generating energy from biogas can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, improving the environmental performance of Brazilian agribusiness.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Brazil GEF Biogas Project is led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and implemented and executed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Among its initiatives, the Project has supported the development of public policies, guided technology tropicalization initiatives, and worked with demonstration units to validate new business models.