As North America – like most around the globe – strives to reduce its carbon footprint and combat climate change, renewable natural gas (RNG) has become a key player in that battle.
The importance of harnessing renewable energy sources to tackle environmental challenges can not be understated. Renewable natural gas represents one of the most sustainable alternatives in the market and the growth of that market in North America is vital for unlocking its full potential.
Market data suggests that over 500 RNG facilities will become operational during 2025, another major milestone following two record-breaking years in 2023 and 2024.
In this article, we explore the significance of renewable natural gas in North America and how it could revolutionise the energy landscape overall.
What is renewable natural gas?
Renewable natural gas – also known as biomethane – is produced from organic waste materials such as agricultural residues, landfill waste and waste water treatment plants.
By capturing and processing this organic waste correctly, RNG production can provide a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels whilst preventing the release of harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.
The integration of RNG into our energy utilisation can significantly reduce our carbon emissions and ultimately, help us achieve our ambitious climate goals.
Renewable natural gas promotes energy independence and security
Renewable natural gas offers so much potential for North America because it fosters energy independence and security whilst allowing the country to diversify its energy portfolio. RNG can be easily produced locally, utilising the abundant organic waste streams across the country’s enormous landscape.
Aside from the obvious benefit this offers in terms of sustainability, decentralised production means that communities can tap into their own resources. This creates a resilient, local energy market and completely removes the dependence on foreign oil imports.
Moreover, RNG complements other renewable energy sources and, as a constant energy supply, can easily sit alongside intermittent sources such as wind and solar power.
Browse Our All New Resources
How has renewable natural gas created jobs?
The expansion of RNG so far has created a ripple effect of economic opportunity and job creation across North America.
According to the consultancy firm Guidehouse, over 55,000 jobs and $7.2 billion in GDP were generated throughout 2024 – bringing new talent into an industry that had already seen employment grow by 20% between 2016 and 2021.
On a practical level, RNG projects brings with them investment into infrastructure, research and development, as well as the need for a skilled workforce.
This encourages the creation of green jobs across both rural and urban areas, as well as revitalising local economies by providing additional revenue streams for farmers and waste management facilities.
Who are the leaders in renewable energy jobs?
So we know that renewable energy as a sector has capitalised on the back of the pandemic, but where are the jobs and which industries do they comprise?
In the immediate aftermath of 2020, the fastest growing energy sectors were electric vehicles (+7.8%), hybrid electric vehicles (+5.6%), wind energy (+1.8%) and battery storage (+1.3%), all of whom registered a gain in jobs as oil, gas and coal fell. This has largely continued into 2025, with solar power and renewable natural gas increasing more recently.
For North America particularly, several states across the US have stood out as leaders in renewable energies. California is home to the largest amount of solar power jobs per population, while North Dakota employs the largest number of roles in wind power generation. Both California and Georgia lead in the production of energy through biomass, while South Dakota is the overall leader in producing renewable energies across a range of sectors.
As the country continues to transition into sustainability, it’s imperative that states largely focused on petroleum and gas extraction look to move into other fields.
What Do Forecasts Suggest?
When we consider what the future holds for renewable energy across the US, renewable natural gas is playing a huge part.
Renewable fuels, particularly liquid, solid and gaseous bioenergy, account for 15% of the IEA’s forecasted growth in renewable energy demand, largely driven by its ability to provide energy for areas not amenable to electrification and in more rural areas.
Overall, renewable energy consumption across multiple sectors increases by 60% in the IEA forecast for the next five years. This increase means the share of renewables being used in energy consumption increases to 20% by 2030, up from 13% in 2023.
Ultimately, the growth of RNG in North America holds immense significance in addressing climate change, diversifying the energy mix, and promoting sustainable economic growth.
By harnessing organic waste and transforming it into a renewable energy source, RNG offers a practical and scalable solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, create jobs, and foster environmental stewardship.
Governments, industries, and communities must continue to support and invest in RNG initiatives, unlocking its full potential for a greener and more sustainable future in North America and beyond.