The Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA) has welcomed the UK government’s latest call for evidence on greenhouse gas removals (GGRs), emphasising the vital role that waste wood biomass could play in delivering negative emissions through carbon capture technology.
The independent review, launched on 16 May and led by Dr Alan Whitehead CBE, the former shadow minister for climate change and net zero, will examine how GGRs can support the UK’s target of reaching net zero by 2050.
It will consider the technological, financial, and policy barriers as well as the enablers that could accelerate deployment.
WRA chair Richard Coulson called for urgent policy clarity for biomass plants powered by waste wood.
These facilities, he said, are ideally placed to adopt bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology – a key GGR solution – but are being held back by a lack of government direction.
“Biomass plants powered by waste wood have significant potential to retrofit carbon capture and storage technology,” said Coulson. “However, without urgent clarity on future support mechanisms, the opportunity to scale BECCS in this sector risks being lost.”
The review comes at a crucial time for the sector, with many operators approaching the end of the government’s Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) scheme in 2027.
Without new business models and supporting policies, the sector’s contribution to emissions reductions could be undermined.
Currently, WRA members help to avoid around 700,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
With BECCS technology, this could increase to an estimated 3.6 million tonnes a year – equivalent to over 15% of the UK’s previous 2035 negative emissions target.
The call for evidence also invites views on the cost of deploying GGRs, transitioning from public investment, and how these technologies could support UK energy security.
“As well as providing an important environmental service, waste wood biomass plants offer secure, thermal baseload power, which will become increasingly important as the UK transitions to more intermittent renewable energy sources,” continued Coulson.
He also highlighted the long-term benefits of integrating BECCS with carbon markets, enabling plants to trade in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and voluntary carbon markets.
The WRA, which has campaigned for policy reforms to support BECCS for several years, said this review marks a pivotal moment for the sector.
“We have reached a crucial moment,” Coulson concluded. “Some of our members will soon exit the ROCs system. We need timely, decisive action to remove the barriers to BECCS deployment in the biomass sector.”
The WRA is urging its members and wider industry stakeholders to engage with the review process and help shape the future of greenhouse gas removals in the UK.
WRA urges government action on biomass role in greenhouse gas removals
