Learning from previous failures: scaling up biogas production in the Chinese countryside

The document examines the history and potential of biogas production in rural China, arguing that while subsidy-based growth has occurred, policies must adapt to current livestock production realities to be effective. It explores how integrating these policies into an SD-PAM mechanism could provide China with technology and funding, provided it accepts international monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).

• China has promoted the use of agricultural waste, specifically animal manure, for biogas production for at least 50 years to provide clean energy, improve health, and reduce fuelwood pressure, though policies had limited impact until the early 2000s.
• Despite recent growth driven by substantial subsidy-based programmes, field interviews indicate that deep-rooted problems persist, and policies must adapt to the evolving nature of Chinese livestock production to reach their full potential.
• China could utilize an SD-PAM-based regime to access international funding and technology or sell credits, but this would require adhering to international monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) standards; alternatively, a unilateral SD-PAM would offer domestic recognition but no international financing.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2012). Learning from previous failures: scaling up biogas production in the Chinese countryside. https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-previous-failures-scaling-up-biogas-production-in-the-chinese-countryside/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Learning from previous failures: scaling up biogas production in the Chinese countryside. 2012. https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-previous-failures-scaling-up-biogas-production-in-the-chinese-countryside/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Learning from previous failures: scaling up biogas production in the Chinese countryside |date=7 December 2012 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-previous-failures-scaling-up-biogas-production-in-the-chinese-countryside/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2012learning, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Learning from previous failures: scaling up biogas production in the Chinese countryside}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2012}, month = dec, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/learning-from-previous-failures-scaling-up-biogas-production-in-the-chinese-countryside/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }