BECCS Myths and Facts: Separating Science from Misconceptions

As the world strives to meet net-zero targets, innovative technologies like Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) are attracting increasing attention. Yet alongside excitement, there’s a swirl of myths and misconceptions that can make it hard to separate fact from fiction.

From concerns about safety and cost to questions about domestic energy security and environmental impact, these myths often overshadow the real potential of BECCS.

We debunk the most common misconceptions and shed light on how BECCS can play a vital role in delivering negative emissions, supporting sustainable energy, and driving the UK’s economic growth as we head towards net zero.

“BECCS doesn’t deliver real negative emissions.”

BECCS can deliver net-negative emissions when using sustainable feedstocks like waste wood coupled with permanent geological storage. *

Source: *UK Government, Ability of BECCS to Generate Negative Emissions (2023)

“BECCS is unsafe because CO₂ might leak.”

Studies show geological storage is safe and permanent, with monitoring ensuring >99% of injected CO₂ stays underground for millennia. *

Source: *Global CCS Institute, The Global Status of CCS (2022)

“Carbon removals are too expensive to scale.”

As CCUS scales, costs will continue to fall through private investment, technology enhancement, and stronger domestic supply chains. *

Source: *CCSA, Driving Cost Reductions and Value for Money in CCUS (2025)

“BECCS doesn’t contribute to domestic energy security.”

BECCS turns waste into clean, reliable energy, strengthening the UK’s energy security while supporting industrial growth in domestic heartlands through jobs, industry and supply chain. *

Source: *UK Government, Biomass Strategy (2023)

“BECCS is experimental and risky.”

BECCS is a type of carbon capture (CCS) technology. CCS is a proven technology that’s been deployed worldwide for more than 20 years.*

Source: *IEA, 20 years of carbon capture and storage (2016)

“BECCS competes with food production.”

Sustainable BECCS feedstocks rely on waste biomass, residues, and non-food crops, avoiding competition with food and land for agriculture, and diverting these items from going into landfills. *

Source: *Food and Agriculture Organization, Biomass for Energy (2022)

“BECCS has a high water footprint.”

Modern BECCS operations can be designed with low water use, especially when using waste residues or sustainably sourced feedstocks. *

Source: *International Renewable Energy Agency, Bioenergy and Water Use (2023)

“BECCS isn’t compatible with biodiversity goals.”

When sourced responsibly like Evero’s waste wood feedstock, BECCS biomass supports ecosystem restoration and avoids deforestation, contributing to biodiversity protection. *

Source: *Nature Climate Change, Biomass and Biodiversity (2021)

“BECCS slows the energy transition.”

BECCS complements renewable energy by providing dispatchable low-carbon power along with negative emissions. It can displace fossil fuel fired power plants. *

Source: *UK Energy Research Centre, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (2022)

“BECCS benefits only large industries.”

BECCS projects create long-term local jobs, stimulate regional economies, and support small and medium enterprises in supply chains. *

Source: *CCSA, Socio-Economic Impacts of CCUS (2024)

“Captured CO₂ can’t be reused.”

CO₂ from BECCS can be used in products like green fuels (Sustainable aviation and maritime fuels), building materials, and chemicals, creating circular economy opportunities. *

Source: *IEA, CCUS in Industrial Applications (2023)

“BECCS can’t meet climate targets quickly enough.”

BECCS is deployable today using existing biomass and CCS infrastructure, providing immediate pathways to net-zero and negative emissions.*

Source: *UK Committee on Climate Change, Net Zero Report (2023)

BECCS is more than just a buzzword, it’s a practical, scalable, and safe solution for achieving net-zero while supporting energy security and economic development in the UK’s industrial heartlands. By understanding the facts and separating them from the myths, policymakers, businesses, and communities can make informed decisions about how to integrate BECCS into the energy transition. With responsible implementation, BECCS doesn’t just reduce carbon - it transforms waste into opportunity, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.