A green energy company from the East of England is playing a leading role in discussions which will help shape national policy on renewable gas supplies.

Bio Group works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through a network of anaerobic digestion plants which turn organic waste into biomethane gas which is then supplied to the national network.

Among the Cambridgeshire-based group's sites is the Adnams Bio Energy facility near Southwold, which receives waste from the Suffolk company's brewing and distilling operations and from other local sources including supermarkets, hotels and schools.

John Mullett, the group's development director, has now joined a working group on anaerobic digestion which has been set up by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

He said: 'DEFRA recognises the need for new and greener energy to be a fundamental part of the future of UK plc. We will ensure our experience and knowledge plays a part in this.'

In separate news, Steve Sharratt OBE, chief executive of Bio Group, has backed the launch of the Green Gas Certification Scheme which tracks biomethane, or green gas, through the supply chain to provide certainty of its green status.

He said: 'By tracking the commercial transactions of biomethane through the supply chain it provides certainty for consumers who buy the gas, confidence in the green gas sector and an incentive for gas producers to inject green gas into the grid.'