BioenergywithCarbonCaptureandStorage(BECCS)

Why It Matters

BECCS offers a unique pathway to net-negative emissions, essential for meeting climate targets and mitigating the impacts of a warming planet on billions of people. In a BECCS-enabled future, energy production could actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere, leading to a stable climate and reduced air pollution in energy-producing regions. Bioenergy producers and carbon storage companies would thrive, while land-use intensive agriculture might face new competition for suitable land. Key barriers include the sustainability of biomass sourcing (avoiding deforestation), the energy penalty for CO2 capture, and the social acceptance of large-scale CO2 storage. Widespread deployment could be seen by 2030-2040, driven by policy incentives in Europe, the US, and Canada. A lesser-known consequence could be increased pressure on global food systems if land dedicated to energy crops competes with food production.