Following publication of the Public Accounts Committee’s report into Government support for Biomass, please see below for a statement from the CCSA.
Mark Sommerfeld, UK Director, said:
“As the UK strives for energy security and net zero, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies, including Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), are essential. Climate scenarios from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), and the International Energy Agency all highlight the critical role of sustainable biomass in achieving climate goals. The CCC reaffirmed this in its advice for the Seventh Carbon Budget, which called for 21 MtCO₂ of engineered removals by 2040, with BECCS expected to deliver the largest share.”
“The CCSA and industry fully support placing sustainability at the core of BECCS deployment. The sector adheres to internationally recognised carbon accounting methodologies and science-based standards to ensure robust sustainability governance. These frameworks are verified through independent certification schemes—such as the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP)—which often exceed even government requirements. The industry has also welcomed the Government’s commitment to evolving these governance frameworks and remains eager to collaborate on advancing this vital area.”
“The biomass sector is clear: the future lies in the successful delivery of sustainable BECCS. The long-term goal is to establish a self-sustaining market where carbon removals are driven by market demand rather than government support. However, to reach this point, urgent decisions are needed in the upcoming Spending Review to enable the progression of Track 2 and Track 1 expansion projects, along with others delivering on similar timeframes. Now is the time to ensure BECCS, alongside other CCS applications, is advanced in the right way—maximising its contribution to the UK’s net zero ambitions.”