When we think about living a vegan lifestyle, we usually focus on food, fashion, and cosmetics. But have you ever stopped to wonder whether your energy supply is vegan?

It might sound surprising, but a small portion of the UK’s energy actually comes from animal by-products.

What Is Vegan Energy?

Vegan energy is energy produced without the use of any animal products or by-products at any stage of its creation.

In the UK, some renewable energy is generated through a process that uses organic waste - including animal agriculture by-products such as manure and silage (a type of animal feed made from fermented crops). While this makes up only a small share of the overall energy mix, it means that not all renewable energy is technically vegan.

For energy to be considered truly vegan, it must avoid the use of all materials derived from animals altogether.

What Is Biogas?

A key part of this conversation is biogas.

Biogas is created through a process called anaerobic digestion. When organic matter breaks down in an oxygen-free environment, it produces a flammable gas mixture known as biogas. This gas can be:

• Burned to generate electricity.
• Upgraded into biomethane, a greener alternative to natural gas.
  
  

While plant waste is often used in anaerobic digestion, animal by-products, including manure and slurry, are frequently added to the mix. And this is where the ethical question arises for vegans.

Why Do Energy Companies Use Animal By-Products?

Animal waste naturally emits methane when it decomposes in open air. Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases and a major contributor to global warming.

By processing slurry in anaerobic digesters instead of leaving it to decompose, energy producers can capture and use the methane, preventing it from being released directly into the atmosphere, reducing harmful emissions.

However, critics argue that using animal waste for energy indirectly supports the livestock industry, one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions worldwide. For those who follow a vegan lifestyle to reduce demand for animal agriculture, this can create a moral dilemma.

Is Vegan Energy Better for the Planet?

The answer isn’t completely straightforward.

On one hand:

• Using animal slurry in anaerobic digestion prevents methane from escaping into the atmosphere.
• It gives a practical use to waste products that already exist.
  
  

On the other hand:

• Supporting systems that rely on animal agriculture may reinforce an industry associated with high emissions and environmental damage.
• A fully plant-based biogas system avoids reliance on animal farming altogether.
  
  

Ultimately, whether vegan energy is “better” depends on your priorities. Whether that is environmental efficiency, ethical consistency, or a balance of both.

Where Can I Get Vegan Energy?

Currently, Ecotricity is the only UK energy provider certified vegan by The Vegan Society. Instead of using animal by-products, Ecotricity produces biogas through the anaerobic digestion of plant matter only.

For consumers who want every aspect of their lifestyle, including their energy supply, to align with vegan principles, switching suppliers is an option worth considering.

If you’re committed to living a fully vegan lifestyle, your energy source may be another area to explore. And while animal-based biogas may reduce methane emissions, plant-based alternatives show that renewable energy can be produced without relying on animal agriculture at all.

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