Environmental groups are urging the UK Labour Party to prioritize proven climate solutions over technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCUS), which they argue have a history of failure. Claire James from the Campaign against Climate Change highlighted Labour’s opportunity to address the climate crisis while creating jobs through investments in home insulation, renewable energy, and public transport. These are practical solutions known to be effective in reducing carbon emissions.
James expressed concern over Labour’s focus on CCUS and other technologies that rely on fossil fuel consumption. “When it comes to carbon capture and storage, which has a track record of repeated failure, or considering the risks of methane emissions from importing gas to make hydrogen, we can’t see this as a good use of big public subsidies,” she said. Instead, she advocated for investment in technologies that are already delivering results.
David Cebon, a professor of mechanical engineering at Cambridge University, echoed these concerns, urging the government to focus 100% on reducing carbon emissions through proven methods. He criticized CCUS projects, inherited from previous governments, as counterproductive. Cebon warned that these projects would lock the UK into higher gas consumption for the next 30-50 years, increasing energy costs at taxpayers’ expense.
Cebon argued that CCUS has “a very poor track record for reducing emissions” and comes with “significant health, safety, and cost risks.” He urged the government to reconsider its reliance on these technologies, cautioning that they could slow down the country’s progress toward its climate goals.
The pressure to shift priorities comes as Labour outlines its plans to tackle climate change. The party has committed to ambitious emissions reduction targets, but critics argue that the focus on technologies like CCUS risks diverting public funds from more effective solutions. While CCUS has been positioned as a tool to capture and store emissions from fossil fuel power plants, its real-world impact has been limited.
Proponents of the technology claim that it can be part of a broader solution to climate change, but environmental advocates like James and Cebon believe it distracts from more immediate and proven measures. They emphasize the importance of focusing on solutions that directly reduce emissions and create jobs, such as expanding renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Labour will pivot toward these proven strategies or continue to invest in emerging technologies like CCUS. What is clear, however, is that the party faces increasing pressure from environmental groups and experts to prioritize actions that can deliver immediate results in the fight against climate change.