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Biogas, Guangzhou, China


China, Guangzhou
ClimatePartner ID: 1178
BiogasGet to know the project

Goal of this project activity is the installation of a biogas-capturing device and a biogas based electricity generation system in the existing wastewater treatment system at the beer brewery of Guangzhou Zhujiang Brewery Co. Ltd. The beer brewing process causes up to 5 million tons of wastewater each year, which is sent to an anaerobic digester system. Its organic matter is converted into a methane rich biogas, which is used for producing renewable electricity. The project activity leads to CO2-emission reductions by capturing biogas as well as by replacing fossil fuel electricity. Prior to the implementation the waste water treatment of the beer factory had no recovery devices for biogas.

The methane-rich gas was released to the atmosphere, per day more than 10,000 cubic meter of biogas is generated by the anaerobic digesters in the brewery. Besides, a desulfurization facility has been installed by which the toxic hydrogen sulphide (H2S) will be removed. The project showcases an innovative way to use biogas from wastewater for power generation and is the first CDM project in the brewery industry of China.

35,780 t CO₂Estimated annual emissions reductions
Project Standard
The project contributes to the the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
How do biogas projects help fight global warming?

In biogas facilities, biomass is fermented into biogas in sealed digesters. Biomass may consist of organic waste or dung from cows or other animals. In countries like India or Vietnam, families use the gas from small biogas plants for cooking. This reduces CO2 emissions that would be produced by cooking with wood or charcoal. Biogas plants also prevent methane from escaping into the atmosphere, as is the case when organic waste is stored in an open pit. Instead, the gas is fed from the closed digesters to specific cookers and thus provides an independent and renewable source of energy.

The project aims to contribute to these United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project facts

Climate projects generally fall into one of three groups: carbon reduction, carbon removal, or carbon avoidance. Carbon reduction projects reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by a specific activity (e.g., improved cookstoves). Carbon removal projects remove carbon from the atmosphere by sequestering it in carbon sinks (e.g., reforestation). Carbon avoidance projects avoid greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere (e.g., protecting forests from deforestation with REDD+ projects).

All climate projects are based on international standards. They set processes and requirements which carbon projects must fulfill to be recognised as a proven method of reducing carbon emissions.

Climate projects demonstrably reduce, remove, or avoid greenhouse gas emissions. This is achieved with various technologies, ranging from nature-based solutions to social impact projects and renewable energies.

Climate projects go through third-party validation and verification. Verification happens regularly after each monitoring period. A validation and verification body checks and assesses whether the values and project activities stated in the monitoring report are correct and verifies them. As with validation, visits to the project site are often part of the process.

This figure shows the estimated annual emission reductions calculated before the project started. The actual number of emissions saved in each monitoring period may differ. The background to this process is that in order to be registered as a climate project, the project operator must submit the calculation of the estimated emissions savings using the ex-ante methodology in a Project Design Document (PDD), which is similar to a business plan. This calculation is validated by an independent auditor. The values determined in the PDD are recalculated during regular monitoring periods based on actual project performance, documented in a monitoring report, and verified again by independent auditors at the end of the monitoring period to ensure a robust process. Independent verification thus provides ex-post verification of actual emission reductions. Verified emission reductions are not distributed until the savings have actually been made.
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