UK launches consultation on greenhouse gas removal policy

The government is leaning towards introducing a contract scheme for negative emissions

The UK government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis) has launched a consultation on potential support mechanisms for greenhouse gas removal (GGR). The consultation follows a joint study with consultancy Element Energy into how mechanisms could support GGR projects, which are difficult to finance due to the lack of a clear revenue stream. The government aims for 23mn t/yr of CO₂ removal and permanent storage by 2035. A combination of lower negative emissions credit prices, reduced options for abatement and a “more stringent carbon price” will support demand for GGR, says Beis. Beis will close the consultation on 27 September and intends to publish detailed policy