UK Waste Streams as a Strategic Asset for Greenhouse Gas Removals
The Whitehead review, commissioned by Energy Security & Net Zero, identifies domestic waste as a key feedstock for carbon capture technologies.
An independent review led by Dr. Alan Whitehead CBE reveals substantial greenhouse gas removal potential across three key waste-based technologies:
- waste-to-energy with carbon capture and storage
- anaerobic digestion
- biochar production from waste feedstocks
The review provides a detailed assessment driven by a core recommendation to minimise the UK's reliance on imported biomass.
The report calls for transitional support to enable sector transitions to carbon capture technologies, positioning domestic waste streams as a strategic asset for achieving the UK's net zero targets.
Author's summary: UK waste can aid in net zero targets.