Landfill: Renewable Energy

Landfill gas remains the highest source of emissions in the waste sector and is a major source of methane. Through the introduction of waste policies, including landfill tax and the collection and packaging reforms, these emissions are declining, and expected to decline further through aging of the landfill population, and the ongoing diversion of biodegradable waste away from landfill.

The Environmental Permitting Regulations require for sites to take measures to capture landfill gas, which may be used for energy generation. In the UK’s most recent National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, it was estimated that 57% of landfill methane was captured in 2024, with 52% being used for energy generation. With the cessation of the Renewable Obligations Certificates for Landfill Gas to Energy Generators, Government has outlined in the Methane Action Plan that it will support increased methane capture from landfill gas sites including through exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme with suitable transitional arrangements. Defra are currently considering options for a long-term alternative for landfill gas and working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on proposals for a potential transition scheme.