Co-benefits and trade-offs of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage - the role of feedstock sustainability

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a key greenhouse gas removal option, proposed by many integrated assessment model outcomes to help achieve negative emissions in the coming century to offset residual emissions in "difficult-to-abate" sectors - in order to meet net zero emissions targets to which Scotland and the UK are committed (Smith et al., 2016). One of the critical challenges to delivering BECCS relates to the sustainability of the biomass feedstock and the supply chains for that feedstock. This project addresses exactly this issue. What is the sustainability profile of different bioenergy feedstock supply chains - and how can they be selected and optimise to not only do least harm to ecosystem services and the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs; minimise trade-offs), but how could they contribute positively (maximise co-benefits and synergies)? Building on the work of Smith et al. (2019) and Albanito et al., (2019), the work in this project will involve using data from Drax, Europe's largest biomass-fuel power station, to examine impacts on ecosystem services and the UN SDGs of various stages of the biomass supply chain - and to quantify likely impacts through modelling of actual and alternative supply chains. The findings will also be used to help inform and refine biomass supply sustainability criteria for the industry, to help capture the benefits of BECCS while also delivering the best environmental and societal outcomes. The student will be trained in quantitative data analysis, statistics, life cycle assessment and mathematical modelling.

Albanito, F. et al. 2019. Mitigation potential and environmental impact of centralized versus distributed BECCS with domestic biomass production in Great Britain. Global Change Biology Bioenergy (early online).

Smith, P. et al. 2016. Biophysical and economic limits to negative CO2 emissions. Nature Climate Change 6, 42-50.

Smith, P. et al. 2019. Impacts of land-based greenhouse gas removal options on ecosystem services and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 44, 4.1-4.32. doi: 10.1146/annurev-environ-101718-033129.

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a key greenhouse gas removal option, proposed to help achieve negative emissions in the coming century to offset residual emissions in "difficult-to-abate" sectors - in order to meet net zero emissions targets to which Scotland and the UK are committed. One of the critical challenges to delivering BECCS relates to the sustainability of the biomass feedstock and the supply chains for that feedstock. This project addresses exactly this issue. What is the sustainability profile of different bioenergy feedstock supply chains - and how can they be selected and optimise to not only do least harm to ecosystem services and the UN sustainable development goals (minimise trade-offs), but how could they contribute positively (maximise co-benefits and synergies)? Bioscience is central to addressing these questions - so the project fits squarely within the remit of the BBSRC strategic priority: Bioscience for Renewable Resources and Clean Growth.