Today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) released a report on Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS). The report raises important considerations for delivering first-of-a-kind projects in the UK. However, the CCSA is concerned and disappointed that the Committee has not fully accounted for expert advice from the IPCC and the Climate Change Committee —both of whom state that CCUS is essential to achieving net zero.
The CCSA have provided the Committee with clarifications in response to the conclusions presented throughout their report. These clarifications seek to address vital gaps in evidence upon which the conclusions of the report have been based, and presents factual evidence that has, thus far, failed to be considered by the Committee.
Read the CCSA’s full response to the PAC report here.
CCSA CEO Olivia Powis said:
“Whilst we fully support the Committee’s recommendations for updated targets for capture and storage, and in assessing value for money, it is extremely disappointing that the Committee has not taken onboard expert advice on delivering against our Carbon Budgets and securing our leadership in tackling climate change by successfully delivering first-of-a kind-projects in UK. This includes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Climate Change Committee (CCC) who state that CCUS – a proven technology that has successfully been capturing and storing CO2 for over 25 years across the globe – is essential to achieving net zero. Additionally, when Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030, was in front of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee yesterday he stated that carbon capture and storage will provide a meaningful contribution towards 2030 and emphasised the enormous benefits of clean dispatchable power to the energy system.”
“The Government has recently committed to 81% emissions reduction by 2035, alongside Clean Power by 2030, and net zero by 2050. Meeting these goals requires CCUS. Without it, British industries will not be able to decarbonise their operations and products, and our power system will not have low carbon dispatchable power which is essential for delivering a secure energy system when the wind isn’t blowing, and the sun isn’t shining. If we are to reduce our reliance on expensive imported energy and products, and achieve long-term savings for consumers and benefits to UK PLC we must continue to move forward with these projects at pace.”
“With the CCUS industry already investing billions in world-leading projects across the UK, the Government needs to urgently maintain momentum on deploying CCUS across our industrial heartlands. The Committee has correctly identified that deployment is behind schedule due to government delays, but by delivering these essential projects we can unlock the huge economic opportunity that is within our grasp. CCUS could attract £20-£30 billion in private investment by 2030, creating significant tax returns to the Exchequer. And with almost one-third of Europe’s geological storage potential, the UK could have a CO2 storage sector collectively worth £30bn a year in taxable revenues by 2050. Government now needs to be making responsible and timely decisions to support the next clusters and projects, and deliver substantial economic benefits for the UK before the opportunities and jobs are lost, with investors and developers moving elsewhere.”
Notes to Editors
Press Pack: Infographics and an animation accompany the press release for use. Download the press pack here.
About the CCSA
CCUS, or Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, is a key low carbon solution – vital to meeting the UK’s statutory Net Zero target at least cost. CCUS enables industrial decarbonisation as well as the production of clean power, clean products (such as cement and chemicals) and clean hydrogen – which can also be used to decarbonise industry. In addition, CCUS also enables greenhouse gas removal from the atmosphere through Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACS) or Bioenergy with CCS (BECCS).
The CCSA is the trade association accelerating the commercial deployment of CCUS, with offices in the UK and Belgium. We work with members, governments and other organisations to ensure CCUS is developed and deployed at the pace and scale necessary to meet net zero goals and deliver sustainable growth across regions and nations.
The CCSA currently has over 120 member companies who are active in exploring and developing different applications of carbon capture and removals, CO2 transportation by pipeline and ship, utilisation, geological storage, and other permanent storage solutions, end-users in the power, industry, waste management, fuels, and hydrogen production sectors, plus supply chain, engineering, construction and management, legal and financial consulting sectors.
For media enquiries please email press@ccsassociation.org