The DESNZ Secretary of State commissioned an independent review to consider how options for greenhouse gas removals (GGRs), including large-scale power bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS), can assist the UK in meeting our net zero targets, out to 2050.
Although the call for evidence closed on 20 June, 2025, we are grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the review, as this research can contribute significantly to understanding public perceptions of GGRs as a key barrier or enabler. As such, this response addresses Question 7 of the call for evidence: “What are the barriers to and enablers of GGR deployment in the UK? This could include…public perceptions.”
This submission summarises the preliminary results of the Energy Demand Research Centre
(EDRC)’s citizens’ panel discussions on greenhouse gas removals (GGRs), which covered
BECCS, DACCS, and afforestation / reforestation. The panel is made up of 40 members,
selected to be broadly reflective of the UK population in terms of key demographic
indicators, degree of concern about climate change, political affiliation, and rural/urban
residence.
For each topic addressed by the panel, members first hear and interrogate impartial information from experts in the field. They are then guided through a series of conversations by professional facilitators, enabling them to draw conclusions informed by high quality evidence and their diverse values, views, and lived experience.
Bringing representative groups of people together to deliberate on complex issues can demonstrate what citizens want and are willing to accept, when properly informed and with space to discuss the issues with people of different backgrounds and perspectives. They have the potential to overcome the increasing polarisation of public and political debate, steering away from simplistic headlines towards thoughtful consideration of difficult trade-offs, enabling more robust policy to be made. Such processes are internationally increasingly recognised as useful for informing policy on climate.
In this series of meetings (on 15th, 17th and 20th September 2025), the panel considered the
relative emphasis that should be placed on low carbon electrification, measures to reduce
energy demand, and GGRs in the journey to net zero, and the reasons for their preferences.
This submission focuses on the outcomes of discussions relating to GGRs.
DOI: 10.20919/QFPE9175
