FAQs
Frequently asked questions
CCS and fossil fuels
Why do we need CCS on coal?
If we are to tackle climate change, we need CCS applied to coal-fired electricity generation. Coal is in abundant supply around the world and will be used for the foreseeable future – particularly in countries such as China and India.
Demand for electricity will continue to increase as expectations for quality of life are met in developing - and developed - economies.
In the UK we need coal and gas – along with other technologies such as renewables and nuclear - to generate electricity affordably and securely in the short and medium term
However, “unabated” electricity generation from coal and gas emits high levels of CO2, so we need CCS which will capture and safely store this CO2.
Can CCS only be used on coal?
CCS is not just a coal technology. We will also need to decarbonise electricity generated from gas by the 2030s, and we cannot do this without CCS. CCS can also reduce emissions from large industrial sources of CO2 such as oil refineries, steel works and cement manufacturing plant.
