Chamber and committees

I come to Professor Haszeldine. In your submission, you were direct about the disadvantages to the Acorn project of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy criteria. If we have to move ahead as quickly as possible on carbon capture and storage projects, how will those criteria advantage some sites but disadvantage the Acorn site? Is the issue the focus on the volume of CO_2, or is it that the combination of different sites adds to the volume? The point about connection to emitters is at the crux of why it did not go ahead in phase 1, but what is needed to make sure that it definitely goes ahead in phase 2?

Thank you—and thank you, Colin Pritchard, for being so patient and for reconnecting to the meeting. I hope that we can hear you now. I want to ask you how important carbon capture and storage are to Ineos and to give you the opportunity to make your opening remarks, which you were unable to do previously. May I bring you in now?

Do you want to say anything on Acorn in particular?

Thank you.

It would be helpful to know through the chat bar whether we have Colin Pritchard back, because I have specific questions for him.

First, I will ask Mike Tholen how important the Acorn project is in Scotland, what its importance is to the drive to net zero, and what needs to be done to ensure that it moves ahead as quickly as possible.

Yes.

Thanks—that is extremely helpful. I am sure that colleagues might want to follow up some of those points, but I am conscious of the time, convener. It is clear from what we have heard that the BEIS criteria are highly questionable, both financially and environmentally. I will pass back to the convener now, as other members have lots of questions.

Good morning, and thank you for sending very useful papers to the committee. It is clear that we have a climate emergency and we need to drive to net zero. I understand that the biggest potential environmental risk of carbon capture and storage is that it interferes with or delays green developments such as green hydrogen or other forms of green renewables. Looking across the UK, what type of carbon capture and storage or utilisation projects would be the best option if we have to do it quickly? I ask Erik Dalhuijsen to answer. I will ask Professor Haszeldine a separate question later.

Thank you. Our inquiry is to look at whether there are any short-term or medium-term solutions. You are indicating that longer-term measures might be needed, as well.

There is a sense that the market itself might not resolve the current crisis. If that is the case, what interventions do we need? I will ask Bill Ireland to answer first and to reflect on his industry, as we have spent a lot of time on construction. Are there any short-term or medium-term interventions that would help to mitigate or resolve the supply chain issues?

Maybe you could tell us your top suggestions.