What is BECCS? BECCS vs BioCCS and Biomass Carbon Capture Explained

You may have come across terms including BECCS, BioCCS, BiCRS, biomass carbon capture, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and greenhouse gas removals (GGRs). But are they all the same thing?

The short answer is: they're closely related, but the terminology varies internationally.

What is BECCS?

BECCS stands for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage. It describes using biomass to generate energy while capturing the resulting biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂), transporting it and permanently storing it.

Because biomass, like Evero’s waste wood feedstock, absorbs CO₂ from the atmosphere as it grows, permanently storing its biogenic CO₂ can result in carbon dioxide removal. BECCS is therefore recognised as a carbon removal technology.

The term BECCS is widely used internationally, including across Europe and North America.

What is BioCCS?

BioCCS describes the same fundamental process: capturing CO₂ from biomass and permanently storing it. The term puts greater emphasis on the carbon capture and storage element, rather than the energy generated from biomass.

The term is particularly common in Sweden and other Nordic countries, where BioCCS has become established in policy, industry and research discussions around carbon removals. BECCS remains the more widely recognised term internationally, particularly in global climate policy and research.

You may also see terms such as biogenic carbon capture and storage or biomass carbon capture used to describe the process.

Do you know your CDR’s from your GGR’s?

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is the term commonly used for approaches that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and permanently store it. BECCS is one example of a CDR technology.

In the UK, greenhouse gas removals (GGRs) is also commonly used as a broader umbrella term for technologies and approaches that remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This includes BECCS and other approaches such as direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS) and biochar.

Terminology also varies internationally. In Europe, you may see BioCCS and CDR used more frequently, while in the US, CDR and carbon removal are commonly used as broader terms.

How does Evero fit in?

Evero is developing InBECCS, a carbon capture project at its Ince Bio Power plant in Cheshire.

The project will capture up to 250,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ each year from domestically sourced waste wood. The captured CO₂ will then be transported and permanently stored.

So, whether you encounter BECCS, BioCCS, BiCRS or biomass carbon capture, the terminology may differ, but the underlying principle is similar: capturing biogenic CO₂ and permanently storing it to deliver durable carbon removals.

Is BECCS the same as BioCCS? Broadly, yes. Both describe carbon capture and permanent storage from biomass, although terminology and definitions can vary between organisations and projects.

What does BECCS stand for? Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage.

What does BiCRS stand for? Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage.

Is BECCS a carbon removal technology?

Yes. When biogenic CO₂ is captured and permanently stored, BECCS can deliver carbon dioxide removal.