Afforestation: The process of planting trees on land that has not been forested for a long period, or ever. In the context of BECCS, afforestation provides a renewable source of biomass while simultaneously sequestering carbon dioxide in growing forests

Agricultural Residues: The leftover plant material, such as straw or husks, after crops have been harvested. These residues can be used as a biomass source for bioenergy production, contributing to the feedstock for BECCS processes.

Algae: Simple, photosynthetic organisms that can grow rapidly in aquatic environments. They are considered a promising biomass source for BECCS due to their high yield and ability to capture significant amounts of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.

Aquatic Biomass: Plant and algal material that grows in water and can be harvested for bioenergy production. In the BECCS context, it includes sources like algae or water-based plants, which can be converted to energy and contribute to carbon seq

Biodiversity: The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. In the context of BECCS, maintaining biodiversity is crucial when using biomass sources, as large-scale biomass production can impact local ecosystems and species diversity.

Bioenergy: Energy produced from organic material, known as biomass, including plant and animal waste. In BECCS, bioenergy is generated while capturing and storing the resulting carbon dioxide, creating a carbon-negative energy source.

Bioethanol Production: The fermenting of sugars derived from biomass, such as corn or sugarcane, to produce ethanol, a type of biofuel. Within BECCS, this process can be paired with carbon capture to reduce the carbon footprint of ethanol fuel.

Biogenic CO₂: Carbon dioxide that is produced from biological sources, such as plant respiration or the decomposition of organic material. In BECCS, capturing biogenic CO₂ prevents it from entering the atmosphere, contributing to overall carbon dioxide

Biomass: Organic material from plants and animals that can be used as a source of energy. In BECCS, biomass is utilized for energy production, with the resulting carbon emissions captured and stored, making it a potential tool for carbon sequestration.

Biomass Harvesting: The process of collecting organic material, such as wood or agricultural residues, for use in energy production. Sustainable harvesting practices are critical in BECCS to ensure that the biomass source remains renewable and carbon-ne

Biomass Supply Chain: The entire process of producing, transporting, and processing biomass for bioenergy. Effective supply chain management is vital in BECCS to optimize the efficiency and sustainability of biomass as a carbon capture feedstock.

Carbon Accounting: The process of measuring and tracking carbon emissions and removals within a system. In BECCS, accurate carbon accounting is essential to ensure that the bioenergy process results in a net reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Carbon Capture And Storage (CCS): A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or energy production and stores them underground to prevent their release into the atmosphere. CCS is a core component of BECCS strategies.

Carbon Debt: The initial release of carbon dioxide during the establishment of biomass plantations or other land-use changes. Over time, BECCS aims to repay this 'debt' by capturing more CO₂ than was initially emitted, leading to net carbon seque

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Encompasses a range of technologies and practices aimed at removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. BECCS is one method of CDR, combining bioenergy with carbon capture to achieve negative emissions.

Carbon Hubs and Clusters: Centralized locations where carbon capture, utilization, and storage infrastructure is concentrated. These hubs enhance the efficiency of BECCS by providing shared resources and transportation networks for captured carbon diox

Carbon Intensity: The amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of energy or product. In BECCS, reducing the carbon intensity of bioenergy processes is a key goal, ensuring that the overall system contributes to net negative carbon emissions.

Carbon Lifecycle: The total carbon emissions and removals associated with a product or process from its inception to its end. In BECCS, analyzing the carbon lifecycle is crucial to determine the true impact of the system on atmospheric CO₂ levels

Carbon Sequestration: The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in a stable form, such as underground geological formations. BECCS contributes to carbon sequestration by capturing CO₂ produced during bioenergy production and storin

Cascading Use: The sequential use of biomass in different applications, maximizing the material's value before it is used for energy. In BECCS, cascading use optimizes resource efficiency and reduces the overall carbon footprint.

Co2 Utilization: The conversion of captured carbon dioxide into useful products, such as fuels or building materials. In BECCS, CO₂ utilization can provide economic incentives while reducing the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere.

Corn Stover: The leaves, stalks, and cobs left over after corn is harvested. It is a valuable biomass feedstock for bioenergy production in BECCS, offering a renewable source of energy.

Decentralized BECCS: Small-scale, distributed bioenergy systems that are integrated with carbon capture and storage. This approach can provide localized energy solutions and reduce transportation emissions related to biomass and CO₂ handling.

Dedicated Energy Crops: Plants grown specifically for bioenergy production, such as switchgrass or miscanthus. These crops are optimized for high yields and low environmental impact, making them ideal feedstocks for BECCS.

Energy Crops: Plants grown specifically for their ability to be converted into bioenergy. In BECCS, energy crops are a key feedstock, providing a renewable and sustainable source of biomass for energy production and carbon capture.

Ethanol Fermentation: The process of converting sugars from biomass into ethanol through microbial activity. In the context of BECCS, ethanol fermentation can be coupled with carbon capture to reduce the carbon footprint of bioethanol production.

Feedstock: The raw material used for energy production, such as biomass in the context of BECCS. The choice of feedstock influences the sustainability, efficiency, and carbon impact of the bioenergy process.

Food Security Impacts: The potential effects of bioenergy production on the availability and accessibility of food. In BECCS, it is important to manage biomass production to avoid negative impacts on food supply.

Forest Plantations: Managed forests grown primarily for commercial purposes, such as timber or biomass production. In BECCS, forest plantations can provide a sustainable source of biomass while also sequestering carbon dioxide in the trees.

Forestry Residues: The leftover materials, such as branches and bark, from logging operations. These residues can be used as biomass feedstock in BECCS, providing an additional source of renewable energy.

Geological Storage: The long-term storage of captured carbon dioxide in underground rock formations. In BECCS, geological storage is a key component for securely sequestering CO₂ and achieving negative emissions.

Gigatonne Scale: The ability to remove or sequester billions of tonnes (gigatonnes) of CO₂. Achieving gigatonne scale is essential for BECCS to make a significant impact on global carbon levels.

Harvest Cycle: The period between planting and harvesting of biomass crops. Managing the harvest cycle is crucial in BECCS to ensure a continuous and sustainable supply of biomass for energy production.

Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC): Occurs when bioenergy production displaces other land uses, potentially leading to deforestation or other environmental impacts elsewhere. In BECCS, minimizing ILUC is important for ensuring the overall sustainability of the process.

Industrial Waste: Byproducts from industrial processes that can be used as biomass feedstock in BECCS. Utilizing industrial waste for bioenergy reduces landfill use and provides an additional source of renewable energy.

Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs): Computational tools used to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of various policies and technologies. In BECCS, IAMs help assess the potential effectiveness and trade-offs of different bioenergy

Integrated Assessment Models (LAMS): Integrated Assessment Models (LAMs) are tools used to evaluate the interactions between different components of the climate system, economy, and policy. In BECCS, LAMs assess the potential impacts and trade-offs of implementing large-scale bioenergy with carbon capture strategies.

Land Competition: The demand for land to produce both food and bioenergy. In BECCS, it is important to manage land use to ensure that biomass production does not negatively impact food production or biodiversity.

Land Use Change: The conversion of natural landscapes, such as forests or grasslands, into agricultural or urban areas. In the context of BECCS, land use change can have significant impacts on carbon emissions, biodiversity, and ecosystem services

Lifecycle Assessment (LCA): A method used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. In BECCS, LCA helps assess the overall carbon footprint and sustainabilit

Lifecycle Emissions: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the entire lifecycle of a product or process. For BECCS, minimizing lifecycle emissions is essential to achieve net negative carbon outcomes.

Marginal Land: Land that is not suitable for conventional agriculture due to poor soil quality, steep slopes, or other factors. In BECCS, marginal land can be used to grow energy crops without competing with food production.

Miscanthus: A fast-growing perennial grass that is often used as a biomass crop in BECCS. It has a high yield and low input requirements, making it an efficient and sustainable source of biomass.

Monitoring and Verification: Monitoring and verification are processes used to ensure that carbon capture and storage operations are performing as expected and that CO₂ is being securely stored. In BECCS, these processes are critical for maintaining the integrity and credibility of carbon sequestration efforts.

Municipal Solid Waste: The everyday garbage generated by households and businesses. In BECCS, municipal solid waste can be used as a feedstock for bioenergy production, contributing to waste management and carbon capture efforts.

Net Emissions Technology (Net): Encompasses various approaches and technologies designed to achieve net-zero or net-negative carbon emissions. BECCS is a key NET that combines bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage.

Net Negative Emissions: Net negative emissions occur when more carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere than is emitted. BECCS aims to achieve net negative emissions by capturing and storing more CO₂ than is released during bioenergy production.

Nutrient Cycling: The movement and exchange of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, within an ecosystem. In BECCS, maintaining nutrient cycling is important for the sustainability of biomass production and soil health.

Perennial Biomass Crops: Plants that live for several years and can be harvested multiple times without replanting. In BECCS, these crops, such as switchgrass, are valued for their ability to provide a continuous supply of biomass with minimal soil dis

Perennial Crops: Plants that grow year after year without needing to be replanted. In the context of BECCS, perennial crops are used for bioenergy production, providing a sustainable source of biomass.

Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize nutrients from carbon dioxide and water. Crucial for biomass growth, as it captures atmospheric CO₂ and converts it into or

Pulp Mills: Industrial facilities that convert wood chips or other plant fibers into pulp, which is used to make paper and other products. In BECCS, pulp mills can provide biomass feedstock for bioenergy production.

Regulatory Framework: The set of laws, regulations, and guidelines that govern a particular activity or industry. In BECCS, a strong regulatory framework is essential to ensure that bioenergy production and carbon capture activities are conducted

Scaling Up Challenges: The difficulties associated with increasing the size or scope of a technology or process. In BECCS, scaling up involves expanding bioenergy and carbon capture operations to a level where they can have a significant impact on

Short-Rotation Coppice: A method of growing fast-growing trees, such as willow or poplar, in a way that allows them to be harvested every few years. In BECCS, short-rotation coppice provides a sustainable and renewable source of biomass.

Short-Term Carbon Cycle: The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, plants, and soil over a period of years to decades. In BECCS, managing the short-term carbon cycle is important to ensure that carbon emissions are balanced with carbon se

Soil Carbon: the carbon stored within soil organic matter. When soil is disturbed during biomass cultivation, CO₂ is often released. This release must be accounted for in calculations of net CO₂ removal to accurately assess the overall carbon balance in BECCS operations.

Supply Chain Emissions: The greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, and processing of biomass feedstocks. In BECCS, minimizing supply chain emissions is critical to ensuring the overall sustainability of the bioenergy s

Sustainable Biomass Sourcing: Obtaining biomass feedstock in a way that does not deplete resources or cause environmental harm. In BECCS, sustainable sourcing is essential for maintaining the long-term viability of the bioenergy industry.

Switchgrass: A perennial grass native to North America that is commonly used as a biomass crop in BECCS. It is known for its high yield, resilience, and ability to grow on marginal land.

Waste to Energy (WTE): A process that involves converting waste materials into energy, usually in the form of electricity or heat. In BECCS, WTE can be combined with carbon capture and storage to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Water Use: The amount of water required for a particular process or activity. In BECCS, managing water use is important to ensure that biomass production and carbon capture activities do not strain local water resources.