Sustainability at our core

The fuel for BECCS will be responsibly sourced

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) will make a meaningful contribution to tackling climate change because the biomass pellets used will be sustainably sourced. This has been fundamental to Drax’s transition from coal to biomass, and it remains fundamental as we progress our plans for BECCS.

Biomass, as the UK Government has stated, is one of our most valuable tools for reaching net zero emissions. So we need the right framework to ensure it is sourced sustainably.

Along with its ability to deliver negative emissions … biomass [is] one of our most valuable tools for reaching net zero emissions.

-- HM Government Energy White Paper, December 2020

As the world’s largest bioenergy producer and generator, we recognise our responsibility to be the world leaders in sustainability, too.

At Drax, we have invested in world leading policies, tools and expertise to ensure that our biomass is sustainably sourced. We go beyond regulatory compliance and have set up an Independent Advisory Board, Chaired by the UK Government’s former Chief Scientific Advisor, to help us and challenge us on sustainable biomass and its role in Drax’s transition to net zero.

Thanks to our independent catchment area analyses, we know more about the forests we source from than ever before. We know and can demonstrate how demand for biomass can support healthy forests. For example, in the South East US where Drax sources most of its biomass, there is more than double the carbon stored in forests than there was 50 years ago.

Watch my full speech, delivered to the Chatham House Energy Transitions conference.