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Carbon capture no substitute for renewables investment

The expansion of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology may have a role to play in driving down emissions, but it can be no substitute for the urgent and immediate renewables investment that is badly needed, say the Scottish Greens.

The warning comes as the Prime Minister is expected to use a speech in Aberdeenshire tomorrow to announce funding for the Acorn CCS project.

Scottish Greens · Mark Ruskell MSP on Carbon Capture Technology in Scotland

The Party’s climate spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP said:

“There may well be a role for carbon capture and storage in the future, particularly when it comes to decarbonising industrial sites such as Grangemouth and Mossmorran which will be challenging.

“However, it is no substitute for investing in renewable jobs and industries and energy efficiency. It must not be used as a justification for more north sea drilling, which will have a devastating impact on our environment and take us even closer to climate breakdown.

“We cannot wholly rely on a delayed and still largely unproven technology to meet climate targets. So far CCS has overpromised and underperformed.

“Carbon capture technology can’t deal with emissions from vehicle engines or gas boilers, and it must not be used as an excuse to approve Rosebank or any other new oil and gas field which we cannot afford to burn.

"We don't have time to wait. Irrespective of what is announced, it must not divert our attention from the urgent and immediate need to invest in cost-effective renewable energy solutions.”

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