The European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology (ESWET) says that it welcomes the European Commission’s proposal on the certification of carbon removal while making the case that Waste-to-Energy (WtE) should be included because of its share of biogenic carbon emissions.
In a statement on November 30, 2022, ESWET highlights that the primary societal function of Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants is the safe treatment of non-recyclable waste, implying that there is no option for the sector to “switch fuel” if this function is to be upheld.
Therefore, the implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies represents a significant opportunity for the sector to decarbonize itself.
The certification of carbon removals as proposed by the Commission is a positive first step in the deployment of the full CCUS value chain in Europe. Offering a clear definition of “carbon removal” is essential in developing a comprehensive framework, which can also facilitate the monitoring of the removals.
Due to the heterogeneous nature of the feedstock, approximately 50 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from WtE plants are of biogenic origin. This percentage varies depending on a number of factors such as the region, time period, etc.
As such, carbon removals from WtE plants partially fit under the proposed definition by the Commission. However, to guarantee certifications of removals of CO2 from installations, ESWET underlines the importance of having “clear rules for monitoring and accounting of emissions that will reflect the particularities of the WtE sector.”
Moreover, as monitoring requirements to be decided under the Carbon Removal Mechanism can potentially overlap with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), ESWET cautions that the “articulation between the two systems has to be carefully designed.”
In addition, the Delegated Acts that will establish certification methodologies should consider the particular features of WtE plants.
ESWET deems that recognizing the storage of CO2 in “long-lasting products and materials” is a good start, however, it is essential to acknowledge the full spectrum of the utilization of biogenic CO2, such as the direct use in greenhouses to substitute fossil CO2, utilization in the chemicals sector, and promising technologies like mineralization.
In short, the full contribution of carbon utilization to the circular economy should not be overlooked.
