British energy company Drax has been identified as the UK’s largest CO2 emitter, according to a study by the think tank Ember.
The report highlights the irony of Drax receiving substantial subsidies for its electricity, which it promotes as green, while contributing significantly to carbon emissions.
Ember’s Findings
“A new analysis from the think tank Ember reveals that Drax is by far the largest CO2 emitter in the UK, despite receiving half a billion pounds in public subsidies for burning wood,” Ember stated in a press release accompanying its study, published on Friday.
Ember’s research indicates that Drax is responsible for 3% of the CO2 emitted across the entire UK territory, surpassing the combined emissions of the next four most polluting power plants and exceeding those of the UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, by more than four times.
Concerns about Biomass and Energy Independence
Ember criticizes the use of biomass, stating that “burning wood to generate electricity (…) limits the UK’s energy independence” due to the large quantity of imported wood. Furthermore, it argues that biomass “has no place in a transition to carbon neutrality.” The think tank advocates for true energy security through domestic solar and wind power, coupled with robust planning for a flexible and efficient electrical system.
The Biomass Debate
Biomass, which involves burning wood in a power plant to generate electricity, is a highly contested practice among environmental NGOs.
Drax maintains that the CO2 absorbed by trees during growth offsets the CO2 emitted during combustion, ensuring the process aligns with carbon neutrality goals.
Drax’s Response
A Drax spokesperson, contacted by AFP, referred to Ember’s report as “flawed” and accused the think tank of “ignoring the (group’s) widely accepted and internationally recognized carbon accounting approach,” which, according to Drax, is endorsed by the IPCC.
Government’s Stance
A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy, also contacted by AFP, echoed Drax’s sentiment, stating that the study “fundamentally misrepresents how biomass emissions are measured.” They added that the IPCC “clearly states that biomass sourced according to sustainability criteria can be used as a low-carbon energy source.”
IPCC’s Nuance on Biomass Emissions
However, in its “Climate Change 2022” report, the IPCC nuances the impact of biomass on CO2 emissions, stating that it depends on various factors.
“The use of bioenergy can increase or decrease emissions, depending on the scale of deployment, conversion technologies, the fuel displaced, and how and where the biomass is produced,” the report explains.
Concerns about Wood Sourcing
Earlier this year, the BBC aired an investigation into Drax, claiming that the company burns wood sourced from rare forests in Canada, based on obtained documents.
Drax asserts that the wood chips burned in its power plant are sustainable and legally harvested. The group plans to add post-combustion carbon capture technology to its plant.
Protests and Arrests
On Thursday, North Yorkshire Police reported the arrest of 22 individuals who planned to set up a “climate camp” to protest around the Drax power plant in Selby. The police stated that these individuals intended to disrupt the site’s operations.