Morning, Thursday, 11th December 2025
Online
This conference will discuss the future for greenhouse gas removals (GGRs) in the UK, looking at the direction of policy and regulation, and the way forward for market growth following the recent publication of the Independent Review of Greenhouse Gas Removals, assessing how GGR technology can help the UK reach net zero targets.
The agenda examines both rapid emissions reduction and the appropriate role for removals within the UK’s statutory carbon budgets. Areas for discussion include funding, market design and delivery, as well as governance and oversight of removal claims, and the UK’s role in global markets and standards.
Policy & funding
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss next steps following publication of the Government-commissioned Independent Review of Greenhouse Gas Removals report. Attendees will consider its recommendations, including calls for transitional funding to help sectors adopt CCUS and to extend financial and policy support for waste-based GGR technologies, as well as development of a long-term strategy for integrating GGR into national carbon budgets and emissions trading schemes, and increased R&D into accelerating innovation and deployment and improving regulatory frameworks to enable faster permitting.
Attendees will consider recent parliamentary scrutiny of BECCS subsidies and sustainability. Implications for the direction of policy will be discussed, as well as questions around technology priorities, government support and long-term plans.
We expect discussion on funding allocations in the 2025 Spending Review, alongside measures in the Industrial Strategy and UK Infrastructure Strategy. Delegates will consider commercial models, factors affecting investor confidence, and delivery planning for engineered and nature-based approaches, as well as the balance of support for biochar, enhanced rock weathering, ocean alkalinity enhancement, BECCS and DACCS.
Market development, business models & assurance priorities
Proposals for market frameworks and business models will be examined, including long‑term contracts for engineered removals and power BECCS. Discussion will also assess the phased incorporation of verified removals into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, and implications for carbon market regulation and standards, looking at issues around eligibility, early deployment and flexibility given uncertainty around BECCS timelines.
Delegates will also consider priorities for MRV, permanence and certification, including development of the UK GGR standard, sustainability criteria, feedstock sourcing, and options for independent governance and accountability.
Enablers, infrastructure & implementation
The conference will assess the infrastructure readiness of deployment clusters, including adapting existing biomass and waste facilities, planning and permitting requirements, and workforce capacity. Delegates will look at regional deployment priorities and the alignment of GGR infrastructure with net zero energy and land-use strategies.
Attendees will also review legal powers and enabling regulation, including provisions in the Energy Act 2023 for transport and storage licensing and revenue support mechanisms that underpin GGR and BECCS business models. Areas for discussion include priorities for maintaining accountability and transparency, and approaches to building community consent.
Global markets & standards
Further sessions review international developments, looking at implications of the UK’s reliance on biomass imports, global carbon removal standards, and conditions for cross‑border trade in verified removals. We expect discussion on strengthening sustainability criteria for imported biomass, the UK’s role in shaping emerging global carbon market rules, and alignment with domestic net zero and land‑use strategies.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Department for Transport; Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Department for Business and Trade; Department for Infrastructure, NI; Department for Communities, NI; Department for the Economy, NI; Climate Change Committee; National Audit Office; NI Environment Agency; Ofwat; National Wealth Fund; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
