Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is increasingly criticized as a fig leaf for fossil fuel expansion, allowing continued reliance on oil and gas while failing to address critical emissions like methane. Prof Myles Allen and colleagues propose licensing gasfields with CCS, but their plan excludes methane leaks, which satellite observations show are massive throughout global supply chains.
The Methane Problem Ignored by CCS
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its leakage during extraction, processing, and shipping of liquefied natural gas often outweighs any CO2 captured. The UN secretary general highlighted these near-term climate impacts at London Climate Week, calling for urgent action on methane. Policymakers must treat CCS proposals cautiously, as they ignore these emissions.
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Costly Subsidies vs. Real Impact
The estimated £264bn cost of CCS to the UK by 2050 is derived from Climate Change Committee data. The government’s £21.7bn funding supports projects capturing just over 3m tonnes of CO2 annually, while the Carbon Capture and Storage Association’s pipeline aims for 77m tonnes—25 times more. This suggests the £264bn figure may be conservative.
| Technology | CO2 Avoided (2025) | Cost Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Solar & Wind | 2,600 megatonnes | High |
| Global CCS | Under 40 megatonnes | Low |
The International Energy Agency reports a 65-fold difference, which will widen as renewables and energy storage grow faster. Moving to 100% renewables is the most cost-effective way to avoid emissions.
Key Takeaways on Carbon Capture
- CCS ignores methane leaks, which dominate near-term climate impact.
- Public subsidies for CCS are enormous, with limited CO2 capture.
- Renewables avoid far more emissions at lower cost.
- Job creation from CCS is temporary, while subsidies last decades.
FAQ
Why is carbon capture called a fig leaf for fossil fuel expansion?
Because it allows continued fossil fuel extraction while failing to address major emissions like methane, making it a superficial solution.
Does CCS reduce methane emissions?
No, CCS only targets CO2, not methane, which leaks throughout fossil fuel supply chains and has a stronger short-term warming effect.
How does CCS compare to renewables in cost and impact?
Renewables like solar and wind avoided 2,600 megatonnes of CO2 in 2025, while global CCS captured under 40 megatonnes—a 65-fold difference, with renewables being far cheaper.
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