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Bioenergy and carbon capture with storage (BECCS): the prospects and challenges of an emerging climate policy response

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  • Wil Burns

    (American University)

  • Simon Nicholson

    (American University)

Abstract

There is increasing impetus for large-scale deployment of carbon dioxide removal geoengineering approaches to help keep temperatures to below 2 °C, as provided for under the Paris Agreement. The primary option that has been discussed to date is Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). While BECCS could sequester very large amounts of carbon dioxide, it also poses substantial socio-economic risks to society, as well as threats to biodiversity. This essay suggests that a human rights-based approach can help to protect the interests of those who might be adversely impacted by BECCS deployment.

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  • Wil Burns & Simon Nicholson, 2017. "Bioenergy and carbon capture with storage (BECCS): the prospects and challenges of an emerging climate policy response," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 7(4), pages 527-534, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:7:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s13412-017-0445-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-017-0445-6
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    Cited by:

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    3. Salas, D.A. & Boero, A.J. & Ramirez, A.D., 2024. "Life cycle assessment of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    4. Yang, Lin & Hou, Huiyun & Lv, Haodong & Wu, Guanqi & Xu, Bang & Li, Yiming, 2025. "Exploring the development path of bioenergy carbon capture and storage for achieving carbon neutrality in China: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    5. Omoyemeh J. Ile & Hanna McCormick & Sheila Skrabacz & Shamik Bhattacharya & Maricar Aguilos & Henrique D. R. Carvalho & Joshua Idassi & Justin Baker & Joshua L. Heitman & John S. King, 2022. "Integrating Short Rotation Woody Crops into Conventional Agricultural Practices in the Southeastern United States: A Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-26, December.
    6. Linda Schneider, 2019. "Fixing the Climate? How Geoengineering Threatens to Undermine the SDGs and Climate Justice," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 62(1), pages 29-36, December.
    7. Motlaghzadeh, Kasra & Schweizer, Vanessa & Craik, Neil & Moreno-Cruz, Juan, 2023. "Key uncertainties behind global projections of direct air capture deployment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).

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