Representation by Simon Oldridge
- Date submitted
- 5 September 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Government’s Net Zero Strategy is dangerously reliant on Bioenergy with Carbon Capture & Storage (BECCS). According to the latest science, these technologies will make the situation worse, wasting precious public funds and time. The UK risks committing hundreds of billions of pounds in taxpayers’ money to technologies which will not deliver. The allure of future removals distracts from the need to cut emissions now, at source which will not deliver, missing the opportunity to cut emissions now, at source. This threatens my future, and that of all of us. New science shows that, as well as causing damage to nature and human health, BECCS is not even carbon negative. This is due to emissions in logging, chipping and shipping, and the significant time lag before replanted woodland begins to absorb carbon. [Redacted] - BECCS' thirst for land would not only lead to large-scale destruction of nature, it is also a threat to UK food security, especially with global crop yields already falling due to climate change. -Drax sources timber from forests in North America and Eastern Europe. We cannot rely on countries in these regions continuing to permit this practice—let alone increase capacity. - The carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, on which BECCS relies, is not proven at scale. The USA has spent over $7 bn on failed attempts to get CCS off the ground over many years. [Redacted] - Drax produces dangerous levels of particle air pollution. The NZS report warns of “significant negative air quality impacts at both regional and local scales”. In my view, allowing this project to proceed would be criminally reckless.