ETI says Fifth Carbon Budget should focus on CCS and bioenergy

The ETI has called for greater focus on developing carbon capture and storage and the creation of a bioenergy sector over the next 15 years if the UK is to meet its targets of decarbonizing the energy system in a cost effective way.

The organisation’s Chief Executive, Dr David Clarke has said:

“We support the Committee on Climate Change’s recommendations and they are an important step on the pathway to 2050 but any delays in implementing key technologies will inevitably lead to cost increases. The 5th Carbon Budget recognises the significance of heat and transport as well as power generation but we need to get CCS back on track, we need to get nuclear moving and there needs to be more emphasis on bioenergy. He said that delays in implementing CCS or new nuclear would lead to extra efforts and costs being needed in early decarbonisation of the heat sector.” “Long term policies and signals were also needed to encourage development of sustainably grown biomass crops in the UK. Short rotation forestry used for biomass has a growing time of at least 10 years so if we want a meaningful supply of UK sources crops by 2030 we need policy decisions soon that will encourage farmers to start planting.”