Six problems with BECCS
This briefing was published by Fern.
The climate emergency is becoming a climate crisis. Years of inaction have meant that scientists and policymakers are no longer just discussing the need to reduce emissions, but how to remove carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere. Known as negative emissions, carbon removals and their credibility are now at the centre of the climate conversation. Governments are responding by looking for technological fixes, and are giving particular attention to Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).
Image credit: Fern
But the belief that BECCS would remove emissions is based on the faulty assumption that bioenergy is carbon neutral, whereas all it does is remove carbon from forests, not the atmosphere. BECCS has significant social, environmental, and economic costs and is promoted by fossil fuel interests, distracting from the urgent need to cease fossil fuel use and protect ecosystems.
In this briefing, Fern outlines six of BECCS’ main problems and explains why policymakers should exclude it from decarbonisation pathways for 2050 or beyond.
The views and opinions expressed in the publication are those of the mentioned organisation and do not necessarily reflect the position of all Real Zero Europe members.