Bioenergy with carbon capture faces systemic barriers, revealing deeper structural challenges in climate tech
Original framing: “The green solution to climate change isn't happening – and that's good” — New Scientist
Scientific studies indicate that BECCS is highly uncertain in terms of scalability, cost, and environmental impact. Research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suggests that BECCS may not be viable at the scale required to meet global climate targets, and may even lead to unintended ecological consequences.
The failure of a flagship BECCS project is not a simple failure of innovation, but a symptom of deeper systemic issues in climate policy.
It reflects the dominance of techno-optimism, the marginalization of Indigenous and community-based solutions, and the lack of regulatory frameworks to ensure accountability in climate technologies. By integrating Indigenous land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, and decentralized climate solutions, we can move toward a more just and effective climate response. Historical parallels with nuclear energy and cross-cultural insights from non-Western philosophies reinforce the need for humility, diversity, and systemic change in our approach to climate action.