The role of negative emissions technologies in the UK’s net-zero strategy

The role of negative emissions technologies (NETs) in climate change mitigation remains contentious. Although numerous studies indicate significant carbon dioxide removal (CDR) requirements for Paris Agreement mitigation goals to be achieved, others point out challenges and risks associated with high CDR strategies. Using a multiscale modeling approach, we explore NETs’ potential for a single country, the United Kingdom (UK). Here, we report that the UK has cost-effective potential to remove 79 MtCO2 per year by 2050, rising to 126–134 MtCO2 per year with well-integrated NETs in industrial clusters. Results highlight that biomass gasification for hydrogen generation with CCS is emerging as a key NET, despite biomass availability being a limiting factor. Moreover, solid DACCS systems utilizing industrial waste heat integration offer a solution to offsetting increases in demand from transportation and industrial sectors. These results emphasize the importance of a multiscale whole-systems assessment for integrating NETs into industrial strategies. Science for society: Understanding how to effectively mitigate climate change is crucial for the well-being of our planet and future generations. Negative emissions technologies (NETs) that take CO2 out of the air are a vital component in this effort, but their effectiveness is still being debated. Our study examines NETs’ potential in the UK, providing valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and the public. We find that the UK could remove up to 126–134 million tonnes by 2050 if NETs are well integrated into industrial clusters where there is high waste heat potential. Key technologies include biomass gasification for hydrogen generation with carbon capture and storage (CCS) and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS) systems using industrial waste heat. These findings highlight the importance of integrating NETs into industrial strategies to meet climate goals effectively while addressing the increasing demand in the transportation and industrial sectors.