In order to use energy more efficiently and thereby improve the climate balance, the siting and capacity of a biogas plant should be geared mainly to the local heating requirement and less to maximum electricity generation to meet supra-regional demand. For energy recovery, mainly residual and waste material as well as feedstocks whose cultivation has benefits for the environment should be used. This could be grassland growth from extensive farming, clover grass crops or lucerne grass crops, for example. Conversion of grassland for maize cultivation should be ruled out through mandatory requirements, particularly in the case of carbon-rich fen soils.