The report outlines the key discussions and recommendations from a December 2023 workshop held in London on the potential of BECCS to support the UK’s commitment to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Attendees, including experts from various sectors, highlighted the need for trust in BECCS developers, demand for CO2 removal, and collaboration across the value chain. They emphasised the importance of government policy to create markets, engage communities, and ensure environmental and economic benefits. Urgent action is needed to integrate BECCS into the UK’s energy strategy and support a sustainable, just transition.
The aim of the report is:
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To develop a national scale cost minimisation model to explore the spatial implications of BECCS.
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To include the impact on the environment from land use change in the spatial optimisation model.
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To improve our understanding of the trade-offs between energy, agriculture and the environment as the UK transitions to a low carbon energy future.
The report stresses that government policy must play a pivotal role in creating markets, engaging communities, and ensuring environmental and economic benefits. Attendees at the workshop emphasised that trust, demand, and collaboration are critical components in the successful integration of BECCS into the UK’s energy strategy.
The report calls for a collective effort to address these challenges and use BECCS to meet the UK’s ambitious climate goals