The Economist Group

The Economist Group is one of the world’s most respected media organisations, with a validated science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway.

With a long-term ambition to reach net zero by 2045, the Group is also addressing residual emissions that cannot yet be eliminated through direct reductions.

The collaboration highlights growing demand from credible and forward-looking organisations for science-based, durable carbon removal solutions — exactly the type of solution Bigadan is positioned to deliver.

Engaging Employees in Real Climate Action

The Economist Group’s approach reflects an inclusive and practical way of working with climate action. Employees were invited to engage with a portfolio of carbon removal solutions, developed in partnership with Carbonfuture as part of the Group’s climate contribution budget.

As part of this process, The Economist Group selected Bigadan’s BECCS solution — facilitated by Carbonfuture — recognising the value of traceable high-integrity carbon removal from biogas.

Through Carbonfuture’s digital infrastructure, all carbon removal credits are fully traced and transparently documented, ensuring a reliable and credible data foundation for the entire process.

High integrity depends on demonstrating that each carbon removal is accurately quantified, independently verified and transparently documented. Bigadan applies cradle-to-grave carbon accounting across the full value chain, from capture and liquefaction to transport and permanent geological storage.

Only net removals are credited: all project-related greenhouse gas emissions are deducted from the volume of biogenic CO₂ permanently stored. The underlying data, calculations and supporting evidence are subject to independent review, giving buyers a clear basis for assessing both environmental integrity and delivery.

Bigadan’s carbon removals are certified under Isometric’s Biogenic Carbon Capture and Storage Protocol and documented through the Isometric Registry. Bigadan also intends for its removals to be certified under the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) once implemented.

Biogas production provides a particularly efficient starting point for BECCS. During biomethane upgrading, biogenic CO₂ is already separated in a concentrated stream, allowing capture and liquefaction to build on existing biogas operations rather than requiring additional biomass sourcing or a separate production process.

Key advantages:
• Biogenic origin — CO₂ from organic residues
• Efficient integration — uses existing plants and CO₂ streams
• Permanent removal — geological storage of captured CO₂
• Circular co-benefits — renewable biomethane and nutrient recycling
• Scalable model — replicable across Bigadan’s facilities

Together, these characteristics make BECCS from biogas a practical way to combine renewable energy, circular resource use and durable carbon removal at scale.

The transaction is an important milestone in Bigadan’s development of a scalable BECCS platform. The Kalundborg project demonstrates how durable carbon removal can be integrated into an operational biogas facility, and Bigadan has already expanded its carbon capture and liquefaction activities with an additional facility in Herning. Building on this established portfolio, Bigadan has an ambition to capture up to 200,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually by 2030.

The EU’s Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF) now provides a common basis for certifying BioCCS permanent removals, including BECCS. At the same time, the EU is considering how permanent carbon removals may contribute to the post-2030 climate policy framework, including their potential future role in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Together with Isometric certification, transparent monitoring and independent verification, these developments could support stronger demand and credible delivery as Bigadan scales BECCS across additional facilities.