Geological net zero

373.  Sections on CCUS and engineered greenhouse gas removals in this Pillar explain the technology, investment and funding mechanisms needed to remove and store carbon in line with the UK's net zero pathway.

374.  Stopping fossil fuel use from causing further global warming, where use cannot be completely eliminated, will require atmospheric removals. One strategy to achieve this is by mandating the current high emitters to ensure that for every tonne of carbon dioxide still generated from geological sources, one tonne is safely and permanently restored to the geosphere.285 This can be coined as 'geological net zero' or 'geo zero' and used to support existing efforts in the areas of CCUS and GGR, both with business and internationally. In order to support these efforts with investment, government should consider how investment can drive development of engineered removals separate from any investment in nature-based removals.

375.  At present, approximately 0.1% of carbon dioxide generated from geological sources is restored to the geosphere. Achieving geological net zero means, very simply, increasing this re-stored fraction to 100%. In scenarios that meet Paris goals, this fraction reaches 10% in the early 2030s,286 a challenging but achievable goal for the fossil fuel industry if accompanied by reducing inefficient uses of fossil fuels and clear policy direction.

376.  This report therefore recommends that government considers setting fossil fuel producers operating domestically a 10% storage obligation target to restore carbon dioxide to the geosphere by at least 2035, separate to any investment on nature-based solutions.

377.  Government should also recognise the importance of geological net zero and work to align international ambitions toward geo zero by 2050, in line with net zero.