Speakers at a conference on anaerobic digestion this week called for more support for closed-loop technologies such as AD.

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On Tuesday, speakers at biogas industry group ADBA's National Conference called on the government to increase focus on the wider benefits of AD alongside energy generation. Chairing the debate, environmentalist Tony Juniper said, "We have pretty much all the technologies we need for the circular economy" and spoke of the "absolutely immense potential" of technologies such as AD, which can produce heating, energy and fertiliser from farm waste.

Other commentators spoke of the strategic importance of nutrient recycling, but added that, in the current climate, the need for clean, renewable energy will form the main driver for uptake of AD.

Patrick Holden, Founding Director of the Sustainable Food Trust, offered some more sobering comments, "There is certainly not a business case for nutrient recycling at the moment – renewable energy incentives are the only thing. Wide adoption of AD will depend on the business case." However, he added that, given the carbon footprint of artificial fertilisers a "carbon price would help."

Rembrandt Koppelaar, Imperial College London, agreed "Nutrient costs will not rise sufficiently, so support needs to be on a carbon basis – there is a huge carbon cost in current forms of nutrient supply."

The panel emphasised the need for a clear strategy for genuinely sustainable food production. Sustainable Food Trust's Patrick Holden added that "We need a clearer vision for how we want our food systems to work. To think long term farmers need support."

There were some suggestions that AD could come to the fore, through securing attention as part of the government's Agri-tech strategy, published earlier this year. This could, speakers argued, support the business case for AD.

Also speaking at the conference, former Secretary of State for Energy Chris Huhne said, "Let's knock on the head the idea that the UK is going further or faster than our European neighbours on renewables – this is simply not true. Of all the major Member States the UK has the lowest renewable energy target. It is very important that green businesses stand up to be counted. If we don't have green growth we won't have any growth at all."

He continued, "Renewables are the future, this doesn't depend on anything that Lord Lawson or the Daily Mail say. People are entitled to their own opinions – however daft – but not to their own facts, and those are on the side of renewables."