UK government launches review of carbon removal technologies

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Carbon Herald or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched an independent review into carbon removal technologies as part of its strategy to achieve net zero emissions
• A public call for evidence accompanies the initiative, seeking input on the viability, costs, and co-benefits of approaches like BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and DACCS (direct air capture with storage)
• Recommendations are expected in Autumn 2025, with the consultation open until 20 June

🔭 The context: This review aligns with ongoing UK climate policy reforms, including the expansion of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to include energy-from-waste (EfW) plants by 2026, and full carbon pricing set for 2028
• It also complements England's consultation on banning biodegradable waste from landfills by 2028, which is aimed at diverting organic material toward lower-emission applications such as BECCS

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Effective carbon removal technologies are essential to addressing residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors
• Prioritizing BECCS in EfW plants could potentially offset millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually, especially if waste streams shift toward more biogenic content
• The review's inclusion of both engineered and nature-based solutions broadens its potential impact on national decarbonization strategies

⏭️ What's next: Following the evidence-gathering phase, DESNZ will develop policy recommendations to inform regulatory frameworks and potential investment incentives
• The review is expected to shape how the UK integrates carbon removal into its long-term climate strategy, with potential implications for industry compliance, infrastructure deployment, and cross-sector innovation leading into the late 2020s

💬 One quote: “Energy-from-waste with carbon capture represents one of the few scalable negative emissions options available today, but it must be paired with reforms in waste composition to maximize climate benefit.” – FCC Environment spokesperson

📈 One stat: The UK's Climate Change Committee estimates that EfW with BECCS could remove up to 5 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2050

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