Contact
Onshore and inshore storage of carbon dioxide
Scotland’s net zero 2045 ambition and updated Climate Change Plan require the rapid development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
The UK Government are responsible for the ‘cluster sequencing programme’ for offshore storage of carbon dioxide (CO2); this will reduce emissions from several sectors including industry. Alternative pathways for the rapid decarbonisation of smaller sources of CO2 through CCS may be available within the Scottish Government’s competence. This would require a licencing and permitting regime for storage sites within Scottish inshore waters, which extend to 12 nautical miles from the coast, and policy coordination across capture, transport and storage.
This study explored the potential total CO2 storage capacity in Scottish inshore areas and the availability of onshore emissions originating from biomass, known as bio-CO2. It also investigated if the distribution of potential sources and storage availability would make it possible to expedite Scotland’s CCS and CDR potential.
Findings
The researchers addressed five elements of CCS:
- Licensing – it is theoretically possible to adopt a streamlined licensing framework.
- Storage – inshore storage is available for rapid appraisal, albeit at a very limited capacity compared to offshore.
- Sources – bio-CO2 sources are abundant across nine sectors with explosive growth potential driven by the global CDR market.
- Timeframes – can be measured in years with the potential to deliver operational injection of bio-CO2 before 2030.
- Cost – competitive with UK clusters and export markets.
For further details, please read the report.
If you require the report in an alternative format such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.