EDR establish environmental licenSing capability for the offshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) market in the UK
Ever-increasing anthropogenic CO2 emissions have necessitated Carbon Capture, and Storage (CCS) technologies to be developed. In addition to natural systems, i.e., Air, earth and ocean, engineered systems of CO2 capture from power plants and chemical processes are now widely available. Since oceans are already the largest natural sink for CO2, it follows that technologies which can increase carbon storage in the ocean are highly favoured.
Carbon sequestration is the method where carbon can be removed from the atmosphere and stored in the carbon pools within specific habitats, such as above ground biomass, roots, and soil.
Geological sequestration represents to the storage of CO2 underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline formations, or deep, un-minable coal beds.
The UK government commenced the UK’s first-ever carbon storage licensing round in 2022. The licences combined are believed to represent around 12,000 km2 in size. Once the new storage sites are in operation, they could make a significant contribution to the aim of Net Zero by storing up to 30 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030.
In support of one of these licences, EDR were recently commissioned to support the following legislative and permitting requirements:
Provision of a review of the applicable laws, regulations, standards, guidelines and conventions and their respective governing authorities relating to licensing in offshore UK waters.
Where relevant to assessments, approvals, and surveying, the role of the governing authorities as well as specific relevant departments within these.
Description of licences, approvals, authorisations, and formal permits required to obtain and carry out the development of offshore CCS.
Provision of information on the approval processes, suggested likely timescales as well as any future requirements for such projects.
Production of a high-level summary of actions to be undertaken to resolve or de-risk the assessments, approvals, and survey consenting process and indicating likely “critical path” items.
EDR continue to be at the lead of marine environmental consulting and remain committed to the protection and responsible engagement with marine wildlife.
Nick Robinson
Tel: +44 (0) 333 358 3308
April 2024
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Personal Contact: Nick Robinson
Tel: +44 (0) 333 358 3308