Carbon Capture in Energy from Waste: A Key to Industrial Decarbonisation and Achieving Net Zero

Carbon Capture in Energy from Waste: A Key to Industrial Decarbonisation and Achieving Net Zero

ERM, the world’s largest specialist sustainability consultancy, has today published a report commissioned by Viridor setting out how Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in the UK’s Energy from Waste (EfW) sector could be a game-changer in the drive to net zero.

The report explains the long-term role of EfW in reducing landfill and recovering energy and other materials. The introduction of CCS will decarbonise EfW treatment of non-recycled waste as well as produce CDRs, a method of removing biogenic CO_2. The report highlights how the CDRs produced are critical to meet the UK’s 2035 CDR target, with the EfW sector contributing an impressive 27% to the target.

In addition to decarbonisation, deployment of CCS on EfW brings substantial economic benefits, with the potential to create £19 billion of investment and over 14,000 green jobs by 2050 as well as unlocking nearly £40 bn in Gross Value Added (GVA). It is anticipated this will help underpin further development of CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure. This transformative shift could inject new life into the UK’s historic industrial regions, aligning with the government’s strategy to drive regional growth.

Six EfW facilities near CO₂ storage hubs have already announced CCS initiatives, with two—Protos ERF and Viridor’s own Runcorn ERF—negotiating government funding for deployment by 2027 as part of the HyNet Cluster in North West England. 

Tim Rotheray, Chief Sustainability Officer at Viridor says, “Having looked at ways to decarbonise the waste sector, we have concluded that carbon capture is a crucial technology that complements ongoing efforts in reuse, recycling, and redesign. Today’s ERM report reinforces this perspective and highlights the potential benefits for both investors and government in supporting these initiatives”

Silvian Baltac, Partner leading ERM’s Industrial Decarbonisation practice states, “ERM’s analysis shows that uptake of CCS across the UK’s EfW facilities is aligned with the UK’s net zero strategy and supports key government targets. It also provides significant opportunity for investment and green jobs in historic industrial areas that could support regional growth for decades to come.”

Supporting the findings, Owen Michaelson, chair of RRUK says, “We stand on the brink of an historic opportunity. The roll-out of CCS in EfW offers the chance not only to decarbonise essential public infrastructure but drive the UK closer to its net zero target and establish this country as a world leader in carbon capture deployment. The Government’s commitment to this programme, through policy support and funding, has brought us to a momentous point and, as an industry, we are ready to deliver on the promise of what can be achieved. It’s time to turn the CCS vision into reality.”

Olivia Powis, CEO of the CCSA says, “As part of the UK’s mission for clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050, we need to utilise all technologies available. For energy from waste (EfW), carbon capture and storage is the only viable route to prevent CO2 reaching the atmosphere. If we are to reduce emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels by 2035, CCS on EfW facilities will decarbonise waste incineration, produce power as a by-product and can contribute to negative emissions.”

A copy of the full report can be found on the ERM website: https://www.erm.com/efw-with-ccs-a-key-pillar-for-net-zero-in-the-uk/

ENDS