UK Government Faces Scrutiny Over £22 Billion Carbon Capture Initiative

MPs warn of high costs and risks tied to unproven technology as consumers bear majority of funding burden.

The UK Government has committed £22 billion to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to help achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns about the technology’s viability, citing its unproven nature and significant financial risks.
Around 75% of the funding for early CCS projects will come from levies on consumers, potentially adding £800 to household bills, with the remainder covered by taxpayers.
Critics argue the government has not sufficiently assessed the affordability of CCS or its ability to meet emissions reduction targets, particularly after downgrading its ambitions in 2024.
Supporters of CCS, including the Climate Change Committee, emphasize its necessity for decarbonizing heavy industry and energy sectors, though challenges in scaling the technology remain unresolved.