Myth-busting paper on Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage

As part of the Supergen Bioenergy Hub public engagement strategy, a media literature review was conducted to explore the public debate around biomass energy in the UK. Several themes were identified in the study including the theme of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).

BECCS combines bioenergy with carbon capture and storage technology, which creates the opportunity for a negative carbon balance because CO2 released from biomass processing is captured and stored. This is also known as creating ‘negative emissions’. For this benefit, the technology features prominently in scenarios that limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. However, it has also drawn criticism for the high amount of land required to provide sufficient biomass material. Each question or area of debate is addressed within the myth-busting paper with a short scientific answer or response.