Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Denmark: Anaerobic Digestion for Biogas Production
Denmark has made significant progress in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the area of renewable energy. One-third of all animal slurries and manures produced in the country are currently processed through anaerobic digestion (AD) plants to produce biogas.
Increasing Biogas Production
The Danish government has set an ambitious target to double the current biogas production over the next five years. This expansion will replace all fossil-fuel-based natural gas, which is currently sourced from either the North Sea or Russia. By achieving this goal, Denmark will make significant progress towards SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
In recent years, Denmark has witnessed a surge in the development of AD operations, strategically located near the country’s natural gas pipeline. This proximity enables easy transfer of biogas produced by these operations into the existing pipeline infrastructure, which was established 40 years ago.
Anaerobic Digestion: Benefits and Opportunities
Torkild Birkemose, a department manager with Denmark’s SEGES Innovation organization, highlighted the potential for further development of AD in Denmark during a learning trip with the Irish Farm Buildings Association. He emphasized the benefits of adopting this technology at the farm level.
- Green Energy: AD promotes the development of renewable energy sources, contributing to SDG 7.
- Organic Waste Recycling: The technology enables the recycling of organic wastes, reducing the environmental impact of farm waste and supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
- Enhanced Fertilizer Value: Digestate, a byproduct of AD, has a higher fertilizing value compared to the original slurry and manures used in the process. This supports SDG 2: Zero Hunger by improving agricultural productivity.
- Pathogen and Weed Seed-Free Digestate: The digestate produced through AD operations is free from pathogens and weed seeds, ensuring safer agricultural practices.
Currently, centralized AD operations in Denmark source slurries and animal manures from various farming businesses. Additionally, other feedstocks such as waste from the food processing sector and straw are utilized to produce biogas.
Torkild Birkemose also discussed the potential use of straw as an AD feedstock. In Denmark, a large amount of straw is produced, with one-third used for animal bedding and another third included in cattle diets. The remaining one-third, which is typically incorporated back into the soil, could be utilized for AD.
“Farmers in Denmark are being paid for the slurries and manures they supply to AD operations. This is especially true for deep litter,” Birkemose explained.
“AD operators secure environmental certificates for the green biogas they produce. These certificates hold real value, a portion of which can be passed down to farmers supplying manures and other AD feedstocks,” he added.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | The recycling of organic wastes through anaerobic digestion reduces the environmental impact of farm wastes |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | The adoption of anaerobic digestion technology at farm level contributes to the development of green energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world | The use of digestate as a fertilizer can potentially improve soil quality and reduce land degradation |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses the plan to replace fossil-fuel-based natural gas with biogas produced from anaerobic digestion. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The adoption of anaerobic digestion technology for recycling organic wastes contributes to responsible consumption and production by reducing the environmental impact of farm wastes.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The development of biogas through anaerobic digestion helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate action, which is a key focus of SDG 13.
SDG 15: Life on Land
The use of digestate, a byproduct of anaerobic digestion, as a fertilizer can potentially improve soil quality and combat land degradation, which is a target under SDG 15.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
The plan to double the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion in Denmark aligns with the target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle
The recycling of organic wastes through anaerobic digestion contributes to achieving the environmentally sound management of wastes, as it reduces their environmental impact.
Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The adoption of anaerobic digestion technology at farm level integrates climate change measures by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the development of green energy.
Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world
The use of digestate as a fertilizer can potentially improve soil quality and contribute to combating land degradation.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the increase in the production of biogas through anaerobic digestion and the adoption of this technology at farm level can be indicators of progress towards the targets.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | Not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment | The recycling of organic wastes through anaerobic digestion reduces the environmental impact of farm wastes |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | The adoption of anaerobic digestion technology at farm level contributes to the development of green energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world | The use of digestate as a fertilizer can potentially improve soil quality and reduce land degradation |
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Source: agriland.ie
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