City Science is excited to announce the publication of our latest report, Assessing the Feasibility for Large-Scale DACCS Deployment in the UK. Commissioned by the Climate Change Committee (CCC), this external analysis is designed to inform the CCC’s Seventh Carbon Budget advice, released this month. Our report evaluates the potential for deploying large-scale Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) in the UK, identifying key feasibility factors, potential costs, and constraints.
While this report was commissioned by the CCC, it reflects the independent analysis and insights of City Science and does not represent the official views of the CCC.
Key Findings from the Report
Our report provides a comprehensive assessment of DACCS deployment in the UK, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. Key takeaways include:
- Timelines for Deployment: Large-scale DACCS deployment is not expected to begin before 2030, with a feasible scale-up to 20-30 MtCO₂ capacity by 2050.
- Infrastructure Constraints: Key limiting factors include CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, electricity grid connection, and the availability of chemical consumables.
- Uncertain Cost Estimates: While costs are projected to decrease with deployment over time, they remain high. However, DACCS costs may not necessarily exceed the costs of high-cost abatement measures in other sectors.
- The UK’s Competitive Position: Despite higher costs compared to some global locations, the UK benefits from significant CO2 storage assets and is more advanced in planning the necessary infrastructure and business models, making it a potentially attractive site for DACCS deployment.
The Role of DACCS in Net Zero
DACCS remains a controversial yet potentially essential technology for achieving net zero. Extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere is an immense challenge due to its low concentration (~0.04%), but DACCS could play a pivotal role in offsetting residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors.
Our report provides an objective analysis of the feasibility of scaling DACCS in the UK, considering factors such as:
- The ability of DACCS technologies to achieve megatonne-scale CO₂ removal.
- Identifying feasible locations for deployment.
- Estimating costs and economic viability.
- Addressing construction, operational, and infrastructural constraints.
- Assessing the UK’s competitive standing compared to other global locations.
Read the Full Report
For a deeper dive into the feasibility of large-scale DACCS in the UK, you can read our full report here: 🔗 Read the report.
As we continue to explore pathways to net zero, DACCS remains an area of both promise and challenge. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape the future of carbon removal in the UK.
