UK gambling with climate targets over carbon capture, say campaigners

The UK government’s approach to Drax’s carbon capture initiative risks misattributing negative emissions, possibly benefiting the US and undermining Britain’s climate targets.

Campaigners argue that the UK could be misled into thinking it is achieving carbon reduction while emissions from imported wood pellets are counted against other nations.

Almuth Ernsting warns: "If the UK government were to grant billions in new subsidies to help Drax develop Beccs, this could enhance the greenhouse gas accounts of the USA."

The situation highlights a critical uncertainty as the UN’s IPCC drafts greenhouse gas accounting rules which might change the national attribution of emissions from bioenergy.

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