BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage)

From $210/tonne

Overview

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a powerful engineered carbon removal method. Biomass absorbs atmospheric CO₂ as it grows. BECCS captures the CO₂ when the biomass is used to generate energy and stores it underground for thousands of years or longer.

BECCS leverages existing bioenergy infrastructure, which makes it uniquely positioned to scale rapidly. It delivers large volumes of carbon removal, backed by rigorous MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification). These projects don’t just remove CO₂, they also generate renewable energy, offering co-benefits that align with broader sustainability goals.

That said, BECCS is not without risks. Most projects are still early-stage, with only a few suppliers having delivered credits. Concerns over land use, feedstock sustainability, and competition with food production must be addressed. Regulatory and logistical hurdles for CO₂ transport and storage also persist.

The science

BECCS projects source biomass feedstocks—like crop residues, forestry waste, or purpose-grown energy crops—and convert them into heat, electricity, or fuels. This process generates CO₂, but instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, the CO₂ is captured and permanently stored in geological formations such as saline aquifers or depleted oil and gas fields.

Because the carbon in biomass was pulled from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, capturing and permanently storing it underground results in net negative emissions (i.e. net removal of carbon from the atmosphere).

Some key factors influencing BECCS quality include:

Feedstock sustainability: Is the biomass genuinely biogenic and sustainably sourced? We assess sustainability certifications (e.g., FSC) and regulatory requirements (e.g., RED II), land use implications, and whether the feedstock displaces food production or drives deforestation.
Storage permanence: Is the captured CO₂ securely stored in geological formations like saline aquifers or depleted gas fields? We require evidence of >1,000 years of secure storage, supported by risk buffers, site integrity data, and regulatory oversight.
MRV credibility: Can the project prove a net-negative impact through robust lifecycle analysis (LCA) and rigorous MRV? All emissions, from feedstock sourcing to storage, must be accounted for with transparent, reliable data that has been verified by an independent third-party.

Supercritical only lists BECCS projects that meet the highest standards, assessing a range of criteria across four dimensions - climate science, delivery risk, environmental impacts, and social benefits. It’s worth noting that only the CO₂ permanently stored underground is counted in the carbon credit. Any energy generated or displaced fossil fuel emissions are considered co-benefits and are not counted as part of the carbon removal.

Research papers 4

Supercritical's view

BECCS sits in a sweet spot: more permanent than nature-based solutions, more affordable than DACCS. That’s why it now accounts for over 75% of total contracted durable CDR volume.

By capturing and permanently storing biogenic CO₂ from biomass energy production, it not only delivers carbon removals but also generates low-carbon energy such as electricity, heat, or fuels. The bioenergy generated can displace the use of fossil fuels in the power and industrial sectors, providing significant reductions in energy-related GHG emissions. However, BECCS projects still rely on carbon finance and the sale of carbon removal credits to be economically feasible. That makes it a standout example of strong additionality. And with geological storage of the CO₂, the high permanence locks away carbon for thousands of years or more.

BECCS has substantial scaling potential, but it needs robust MRV frameworks to ensure sustainability and permanence. We encourage buyers to evaluate projects carefully and consider early offtakes as a way to lock in supply, shape project quality, and hedge against future price increases. It’s also important to be clear-eyed about the delivery risks: BECCS projects require significant upfront capital, infrastructure buildout, and can raise environmental concerns around biomass sustainability, e.g., land use change, and feedstock competition for other use cases, or land for food production.

BECCS is emerging as a leading CDR pathway, and we’re excited to add it to our platform.

Dr Mai Bui

Director of climate science

Our suppliers

BioCirc is a Danish circular bioeconomy company operating eight large-scale biogas facilities that together produce nearly 1.9 TWh of biomethane annually—enough to meet 9% of Denmark’s gas demand. Now, they’re taking the next step: integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) across five sites, with CO₂ transported to permanent offshore storage under the North Sea via Project Greensand.

BioCirc delivers high-integrity carbon removal without competing for food, land, or water. All of the biomass feedstock is sustainably sourced, where 95% is agricultural residues and waste biomass, and 5% energy crops with RED II certification. The captured biogenic CO₂ is injected into EU-regulated geological formations with durability exceeding 1,000 years. These removals wouldn’t happen without carbon finance, ensuring strong additionality.

As our first BECCS partner, BioCirc exemplifies the kind of modular, offtake-driven infrastructure the market needs, combining renewable energy and permanent CO2 storage into local energy clusters that push the boundaries of decarbonisation.

Vinkel
Vesthimmerland
Haderslev-Sode
Grønhøj
Favrskov

Verifications

Every project in the marketplace receives a score through our science-driven, commercially-focused vetting protocol.

Covering 100+ criteria across four key dimensions, this rigorous evaluation yields top-line scores, allowing you to compare projects and evaluate quality objectively. Dive deeper with our vetting explainer.

Climate science

Is the climate science that underpins the carbon credit rock solid?
- Remove carbon
- Have clear permanence
- Accurately issue credits
- Is additional
- Does not suffer leakage
- Strong MRV (Measured, Reported and Verified)
Environmental factors

Beyond the removal of CO2, does the project have a positive or negative impact on the local environment?
- Neutral or positive impact on biodiversity
- Neutral or positive impact on air quality
- Neutral or positive impact on soil health
- No negative effects on groundwater
Delivery risk

What is the risk of non-delivery of credits?
- Site development
- Site operational track record
- Team experience and capability
- Business plan and funding
- Levels of geopolitical risk
Social impact

Does the project have a positive or negative impact on local communities, per UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
- Economic empowerment of local communities
- Integrates education and community engagement
- Better health outcomes

Browse our removal methods

Biochar

Biochar is charcoal-like material rich in stable carbon. It is produced by heating biomass in an oxygen-limited environment in a process called pyrolysis.

Permanence: MEDIUM From: $162/t
BECCS

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a powerful engineered carbon removal method. Biomass absorbs atmospheric CO₂ as it grows. BECCS captures the CO₂ when the biomass is used to generate energy and stores it underground for thousands of years or longer.

Permanence: HIGH From: $210/t
ARR

Afforestation and forest restoration, if done effectively, combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide and protecting biodiversity.

Permanence: LOW From: $58/t
Enhanced weathering

Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) takes natural weathering of silicate rocks that removes & mineralizes atmospheric CO₂ and speeds it up dramatically.

Permanence: HIGH From: $312/t
Direct air capture

Direct air capture (DAC) is a chemical process to capture ambient CO₂ from the atmosphere.

Permanence: HIGH From: $618/t
DAC with ocean storage

This employs seawater electrolysis to capture and convert atmospheric CO₂ into carbonate solids for construction and permanently stores dissolved bicarbonate ions in the ocean.

Permanence: HIGH From: $812/t
Woody biomass sinking

This is a method that sequesters carbon by submerging leftover woody materials in the oxygen-depleted layer of the Black Sea, which is approximately 2 kilometers deep.

Permanence: MEDIUM From: $375/t
Bio-oil

Bio-oil and biochar production both convert waste biomass through pyrolysis. Bio-oil is a liquid stored in geological repositories, while biochar is applied to soils.

Permanence: HIGH From: $750/t