The Southern African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA) National Biogas Conference will convene at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Hatfield, Pretoria from 14-16
August 2019. We are expecting 140 delegates from 18 different countries.
The conference will focus on the current state of the biogas industry in South Africa and how to create a more attractive market. Biogas forms part of the solution in resolving existing environmental problems through the production of green energy or biomethane and contributes significantly to green energy production. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and assists in achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement – to limit the global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement was ratified by the South African government in 2015.
The Paris Agreement is also an important tool in mobilising finance, technological support and capacity building for developing countries, and will help to scale up global efforts to address and minimise loss and damage from climate change and increase climate resilience. The development of the biogas industry forms part of the solution to achieve these goals, as well as creating many benefits in the form of environmental protection, production of green energy, job creation and capacity building.
The conference wishes to achieve the following commitments from attending governmental departments and private sector:
- Commitment from DEFF and DST to further support SABIA in unlocking the biogas sector.
- Commitment from DEFF to implement a ban on organic material to landfills in major cities, according to specific dates and targets.
- Further discussions and interactions with government, financial institutions and stakeholders to build relationships and set the tone to build channels of communication moving forward.
The Conference will feature speakers from South African government and biogas experts from around the world, with a keynote address from the ministry of the Department of Energy (DOE).
