Today the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published the Independent Review of Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), chaired by Dr Alan Whitehead CBE. The review considers how GGR options – including large-scale power bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), and waste to energy with carbon capture and storage (WECCS) – can support the UK in meeting its net zero targets out to 2050.
Olivia Powis, CEO of the CCSA, said:
“Today’s publication of the Independent Review of Greenhouse Gas Removals marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s net zero transition. GGRs, including BECCS, DACCS, and WECCS, are essential technologies to remove residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, support industrial decarbonisation and maintain a reliable, low-carbon energy system.
The Review, led by Dr Alan Whitehead, provides a clear pathway to scale these solutions, and success will depend on finalising a credible GGR business model, enabling investment certainty and ensuring CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure is in place.
The UK has a real opportunity to cement its position as a global leader in high-integrity carbon removals, thanks to its large CO₂ storage capacity, existing CCUS infrastructure, advanced low-carbon technology expertise and a supportive policy and regulatory environment that can attract private investment and accelerate deployment.
We look forward to working with Government and industry to accelerate GGR deployment, helping the UK capture at least 5 Mtpa of engineered removals by 2030, rising to 23 Mtpa by 2035. This will support economic growth, energy security and help us to achieve our climate goals. With global demand for GGR credits growing – nearly 10 million purchased worldwide – the UK has a clear opportunity to lead in high-integrity carbon removals.”