Friday 22 January 2021
National Infrastructure Commission calls for businesses to give input on carbon capture tech
In a new call for evidence, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is calling on businesses to provide recommendations on the technologies that should be used to capture emissions and deliver net zero.
The government has asked the NIC to gather information about greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies, also referred to as carbon capture and storage (CCS), in order to help it better understand the readiness levels of appropriate technologies, calculate the investment required, identify the best locations for projects and forecast potential impacts.
The NIC is focusing the consultation on engineering-based approaches, predominantly Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS).
It notes although nature-based solutions such as afforestation or peatland restoration are "likely to be an important part of the system to reduce emissions", they will not be part of this round of evidence gathering.
The government ultimately hopes businesses will help it identify which policies are required to incentivise the rollout of carbon capture technologies and set a timeline for market mechanisms and regulatory decisions to be implemented.
You can read more about the consultation and provide your input here.
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Greenhouse Gas Removals Call for Evidence is also looking at GGR technologies, with a wider scope.
