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Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage
07 October 2024
Lead MP
Ed Miliband
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
TaxationClimate
Other Contributors: 33
At a Glance
Ed Miliband raised concerns about carbon capture, usage and storage in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced the Government’s new carbon capture programme, investing £21.7 billion over 25 years to support five projects across two clusters in the north-west and north-east of England. The announcement will enable the construction of transport and storage networks necessary for this industry. It also includes the development of Net Zero Teesside, Protos, and EET Hydrogen, with a total initial capacity to remove over 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This move aims at decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as chemicals and cement, producing low-carbon hydrogen, and delivering clean power by 2030 alongside renewables and nuclear energy. The initiative is expected to create up to 50,000 jobs by the 2030s.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Question
Questions whether the CCUS projects have been scaled back due to reduced funding, updates on track 2 clusters Acorn and Viking, discusses job risks in industries like Grangemouth, Port Talbot, and Scunthorpe under Labour’s net zero plans, raises concerns about increased global emissions from importing energy.
Minister reply
Acknowledges past work but emphasises the current government's commitment to turning aspiration into reality with significant funding. Confirms that Acorn and Viking clusters are still being considered and will be addressed in future announcements.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Question
The MP thanked the Secretary of State for his statement and expressed disappointment at his lack of recognition of the previous government's work... She also questioned the scaling back of projects, absence of track 2 clusters in the announcement, and the impact of net zero plans on British industry and jobs.
Minister reply
I know that the right hon. Lady is in a difficult position, and it rather showed today... The truth is that the Tories did not have an industrial strategy because they do not believe in an industrial strategy.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
Unlike the shadow Secretary of State, I am very pleased that the Secretary of State has announced jobs in Teesside... How long does he think we will need this technology for the abatement of heavy industry, and how long does he think we will need it for hydrogen production and production from gas?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question; he makes a really important point... I am struck by what the IEA said. We are talking about probably 20% of industry, and we are doing the right thing for Britain and setting an example to the world.
Pippa Heylings
Lib Dem
South Cambridgeshire
Question
Thanked the Secretary of State for his statement and emphasised the importance of supporting British industries in cutting carbon emissions. Criticised the Conservative Government's roll-back from climate pledges, failure to invest properly in renewable energy, and leaving households vulnerable to fuel poverty due to insufficient progress on decarbonisation. Called for clear and transparent path to delivery for CCS projects.
Minister reply
Welcomed the hon. Lady’s remarks and highlighted the passing of an era with the closure of coal-fired power plants. Emphasised the need for both zero-carbon power and carbon capture, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors, citing examples from past investments in offshore wind.
Barry Gardiner
Lab
Brent West
Question
Asked if CCUS would be used only for heavy industries and green hydrogen production to keep domestic fuel bills low, warning against hype around blue hydrogen.
Minister reply
Confirmed a role for both blue hydrogen and gas with CCS within the context of a primarily renewables-based system. Emphasised the need for all technologies to address decarbonisation challenges.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
Asked about advancing announcements for projects in the Humber area, which produces the most emissions in the country, and mentioned £15 billion-worth of private investment ready.
Minister reply
Agreed with the hon. Gentleman’s point and committed to addressing these projects as soon as possible, noting inherited delays from previous governments.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
Question
Asked for commitment to bold Government action to retain jobs at the Grangemouth refinery workers facing redundancies.
Minister reply
Committed to using every lever available, including the national wealth fund, to advance Project Willow and work intensively on retaining jobs at Grangemouth.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Asked about safe methods of transporting liquefied CO2 by sea for carbon capture projects, citing the case of ExxonMobil’s Fawley refinery project.
Minister reply
Acknowledged that this was not part of track 1 or track 2 but is an important issue. Undertook to continue dialogue with the company and address technical issues.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Question
Welcomed the announcement, highlighted its potential for re-industrialisation of regions and creation of well-paid jobs. Asked about world-leading research and innovation alongside deployment.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of world-leading scientists and engineers in playing a leading role in CCS technology. Stressed that not acting is a much greater risk than technological risks.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Asked about bringing forward the Acorn project as quickly as possible, citing its importance for Scotland and skills in oil engineering.
Minister reply
Committed to bringing forward the Acorn project alongside track 1 projects. Assured Scottish colleagues of the Government's commitment.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his statement today. Could he say a bit more about how this important project will sit alongside other investments in green energy as we move towards the 2030 and 2050 targets? Could he also explain more about the potential for job creation across the country in a wide range of industries and regions?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is entirely right. This is part of a whole set of things this Government are doing, including lifting the onshore wind ban, releasing private investment and dealing with solar projects that had been sitting on desks for far too long. More has been consented in nationally consented projects in three months of this Government than in 14 years of the last Government.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Question
I am pleased that there is an announcement on the funding of blue hydrogen at Ellesmere Port, but what about Bacton? What are the Secretary of State’s plans to support blue hydrogen projects at Bacton, which would be ideally suited for the southern North sea? Also, having looked at the numbers, could he please confirm that it is still Government policy that we should capture and store between 20 and 30 megatons of CO2 by 2030?
Minister reply
On Bacton, that is very much part of our plans for the future. On confirming CO2 storage targets, we will set out all those details in response to the work of the Climate Change Committee.
Lola McEvoy
Lab
Darlington
Question
May I put on record my thanks to the Secretary of State and his wider team for investing in my part of the country? This marks a huge vote of confidence in our local industry leaders and workforce, and does he agree that this carbon capture project will create exciting, skilled jobs and opportunities for people in Darlington and the Tees valley?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and advocacy on this issue. She raises an important point about the investment being crucial for our industries, security as a country and jobs in industrial heartlands.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
The Secretary of State says he is absolutely committed to the Acorn project. Well, the way to show that would be to fund it, because yet again the UK Government have failed to announce funding for carbon capture utilisation and storage projects in Scotland. This is a disaster economically, industrially and environmentally. When will we see investment from Westminster into the north-east of Scotland to support the Acorn project?
Minister reply
I am sorry about the hon. Gentleman’s tone but it is entirely predictable. There have always been two tracks. This Government are moving at speed to fund track 1 and I have made clear our commitment to Acorn and track 2.
Knowsley
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s announcement of major investment in carbon capture in industrial heartlands, including Merseyside. Can the Secretary of State provide details and meet me to discuss how Knowsley will benefit from this scheme?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is entirely right. The challenge for Government is to create jobs in the supply chain, including her constituency. I look forward to meeting her to discuss this.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Waste incinerators release a tonne of CO2 for every tonne of waste incinerated and their environmental value is questionable unless carbon capture is attached. Will the Secretary of State commit to significantly scaling up carbon capture for energy from waste plants?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is absolutely right, and it is why one of the projects we funded is an energy from waste project.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
Given the dithering of the Conservative party, we had become increasingly anxious that the final investment decisions would not be aligned. So that we can use this precious investment, will my right hon. Friend meet hon. Members from across the Tees valley to discuss how we can secure the well-paid jobs, apprenticeships and training that we need?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to Alex Cunningham and my hon. Friend for being tireless advocates. He makes such an important point about delivering jobs in places that have not seen such opportunities for far too long.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Given the Chancellor’s rhetoric, it is perhaps a little surprising that the Government have managed to magic £22 billion for this. Does he share my concern that we will reduce the drive to decarbonise industries?
Minister reply
I respect the right hon. Gentleman’s question although I do not agree. This is a long-term investment in the country’s future, and there are hard-to-abate industries that without carbon capture, will find it very hard to enter a decarbonised world.
Andrew Pakes
Lab Co-op
Peterborough
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement. Does he agree that carbon capture is about not just net zero or boosting cluster areas, but boosting jobs, skills and futures in the supply chain?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend always speaks with great eloquence on these issues, and he is completely right about showing that the transition to clean energy can create jobs of the future.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Question
The vast majority of carbon capture and storage pilot and demonstration projects have been cancelled or put on hold. I am concerned that the Government are putting so much money—£22 billion—into an unproven technology. Will the Secretary of State rule out investing any of this £22 billion in new fossil fuels?
Minister reply
It is early, but I worry about the hon. Gentleman’s opposition to new grid infrastructure and carbon capture, so goodness knows what will happen to hard-to-abate industries. We need all of these things.
Henry Tufnell
Lab
Mid and South Pembrokeshire
Question
Welcomes the Government’s announcement on track 1 projects, but questions about decarbonisation of sites in Wales without pipeline CO2 transport solutions.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of addressing carbon emissions at industrial sites that lack pipeline access. Emphasises commitment to exploring all possible solutions for a just transition.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Critiques the £27 billion investment as ineffective and questions its environmental impact, citing examples of carbon-intensive practices.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the long-standing disagreement with the MP but disagrees with his perspective on green policies. Defends the necessity of CCS for decarbonisation.
Hitchin
Question
Supports the Government's recent actions against climate denialism, urging a comprehensive approach to achieving net zero.
Minister reply
Agrees on the importance of embracing all available solutions for decarbonisation and highlights the global recognition of Britain’s leadership in this area.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Question
Asks about steps to ensure industries invest in reducing emissions despite incentives that might encourage business as usual.
Minister reply
Asserts that the Government has various projects in place to promote decarbonisation and refutes claims that carbon capture schemes would disincentivize emission reductions.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Question
Queries if industrial strategy and renewables will be UK-wide, especially in Cornwall.
Minister reply
Confirms commitment to a UK-wide approach including opportunities for floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea.
Caroline Voaden
Lib Dem
South Devon
Question
Welcomes decarbonisation efforts but questions whether full lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are reviewed for projects.
Minister reply
Affirms that lifecycle assessments are part of the process and defends the Government’s policy on no new oil and gas licences.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Question
Highlights the delay in previous commitments to CCUS projects by the last government.
Minister reply
Critiques the previous Government's cancellation of the project twice, emphasising the current Government’s prompt action.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Question
Questions how private investment will continue given policies to close down North Sea oil and gas.
Minister reply
Reassures that oil and gas companies have welcomed the announcement, reflecting confidence in the Government's actions.
Richard Tice
Reform
Boston and Skegness
Question
Questions the allocation of funds towards risky technology while failing to support pensioners.
Minister reply
Defends green jobs creation as essential for working people, dismissing criticism from the MP who he perceives as inconsistent.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Question
Requests a timescale for progress on the Acorn project, noting it is a track 2 project.
Minister reply
Acknowledges challenges faced by track 1 projects and expresses commitment to moving forward with track 2, including Acorn.
Brian Mathew
Lib Dem
Melksham and Devizes
Question
Welcomed the Secretary of State’s statement but asked if natural carbon capture methods, such as anaerobic digestion plants ducting CO2 into greenhouses to enhance food security, would be included in the CCUS project.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of the hon. Gentleman's point regarding potential uses of CCUS technology and mentioned a visit to a glass factory that will utilise hydrogen from a new project.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Welcomed the statement on carbon capture, emphasised the requirement for every penny spent to bring an achievement, and questioned how the Secretary of State would ensure involvement of each region in the UK, particularly Northern Ireland.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the importance of job creation and supply chain benefits across the whole United Kingdom while noting that there will be discussions about regional engagement.
Shadow Comment
Claire Coutinho
Shadow Comment
The Conservative shadow minister welcomed the announcement but criticised the Labour government for failing to acknowledge previous Conservative efforts and investments towards carbon capture technology. She highlighted that the Conservative Party had laid down plans, including £1 billion investment in the Energy Security Bill of 2022. The shadow minister expressed concerns over projects not mentioned in the statement such as Acorn and Viking clusters, and warned about the potential impact on British industry from Labour's net zero plans.
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