Yes, we need to get rid of as much CO₂ as we can. But we don’t need to just bury it. We can convert it into profit – and make Net Zero pay.

A challenge to woolly thinking issued

In January 2026, an articulate podcaster and commentator called Konstantin Kisin appeared on the BBC’s popular Question Time political and current events discussion programme. And at a crucial point he turned to one of his fellow panellists and presented them (and the audience at home and in Kings Lynn) with the following challenge to contemporary climate crisis policy (for space, we’ve abridged his full remarks):

Given that the UK contributes only about 1% of global carbon emissions, achieving Net Zero domestically would have minimal impact on the global total, and that the idea of us somehow influencing economies like China to reduce their emissions by our noble stance has been proven naive. But worse than this, Net Zero policies have actually harmed the UK economy by driving up industrial and consumer energy costs—making domestic manufacturing uncompetitive and leading to offshoring production to countries with higher emissions. 

As a result, while total global emissions may not decrease and could even rise, Net Zero and economic prosperity are incompatible goals, and the UK would be better off abandoning such targets in favour of prioritising cheap, reliable, and abundant energy, while still supporting innovation in cleaner technologies.

While not all holders of such views argue them as eloquently, the fact is that there are many voices out there who do indeed contend that the Government’s current course is deeply problematic, including as it does a legally binding commitment to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and so on.

So: we can either Net Zero OR growth—the two being mutually exclusive. However, every day at this company and in every conversation we have with both clients, prospects, and the wider market, we absolutely know that is NOT the case.

What makes us so sure? Because we know we can help organisations like yours both capture and remediate your carbon dioxide output while also turning what is literally harmful waste into genuinely profitable products.

It’s early days for this market, but the data tells us that the investment costs in what is called ‘CCU’, Carbon Capture and Utilisation, are more than covered and predictable—and in fact, a very significant ROI can be secured.

Our experience and predictions show there is no contradiction here at all, and that Net Zero OR business growth is a false and possibly dangerous dichotomy. Let’s see how.

Define your terms

As the UK accelerates its transition towards a Net Zero economy, Carbon Capture and Utilisation is emerging as a critical component of the decarbonisation landscape.

While much of the public discourse focuses on renewable energy and electrification, CCU offers a complementary pathway. One that addresses emissions from hard-to-abate sectors and that also enables the continued use of existing industrial infrastructure in a lower-carbon future.

For policymakers, industry leaders and investors alike, the question is no longer whether CCU has a role to play, but how it can be effectively deployed at scale within a national /broader Net Zero strategy.

How does CCU make me money?

Putting that bluntly might raise any eyebrow or two, but that is the nub of the argument, so let’s answer.

In practical industrial and product terms, CCU refers to the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial sources or directly from the atmosphere and then using that CO₂ as a feedstock for other processes.

Unlike its complementary approach, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), where CO₂ is permanently stored underground, CCU seeks to create value from captured carbon—turning a waste product into a resource.

In any case, CCU is particularly relevant for sectors such as cement, steel, chemicals and refining, where emissions are difficult to eliminate through electrification alone. These industries are essential to our economies, yet inherently carbon-intensive. CCU provides a mechanism to reduce their emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness.

Moreover, CCU can support the development of new low-carbon products, including synthetic fuels, building materials and valuable chemicals. This not only helps to decarbonise existing industries but also opens up new economic opportunities aligned with the UK’s industrial strategy.

Why is it a mistake to say the UK’s sacrificing economic opportunity through Net Zero?

The UK is actually enviably well placed to become a global leader in carbon capture technologies. With a strong industrial base, extensive offshore storage capacity in the North Sea, and established research capabilities, the foundations for CCU deployment are already in place.

Government initiatives such as the development of industrial clusters—particularly in regions like the Humber, Teesside and Merseyside—are central to this strategy. (Confusingly, HMG calls all this CCUS, but there’s not really much of an issue using the terms together.) These clusters aim to integrate carbon capture infrastructure across multiple facilities, creating shared networks for CO₂ transport and utilisation or storage.

In addition, the UK’s commitment to Net Zero actually incentivises business, as it has created a clear policy signal that supports long-term investment in low-carbon technologies. Funding programmes, regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships are all contributing to the gradual maturation of the CCU ecosystem.

OK, so why isn’t everyone doing CCU yet?

One of the primary barriers to CCU in the UK is, yes, we need to get some of the economic side sorted out. Capturing, transporting and utilising CO₂ is capital-intensive, and the commercial case for CCU products is still developing. In many cases, low-carbon alternatives struggle to compete with established, fossil-based processes on cost.

Without robust carbon pricing mechanisms or targeted incentives, there is as yet today (Q2 2026) arguably somewhat limited financial motivation for firms to invest in CCU technologies. While government support has improved in recent years, further clarity and consistency in policy might be essential to unlock private sector investment.

Infrastructure is another significant challenge. Effective CCU deployment requires coordinated systems for capturing CO₂ at source, transporting it—often via pipelines—and either utilising it or storing it. Building this infrastructure at scale requires long-term planning, cross-industry collaboration and substantial upfront investment.

There are also technical considerations. While many CCU technologies have been proven at pilot or demonstration scale, scaling them up to industrial levels presents engineering and operational challenges. Ensuring reliability, efficiency and integration with existing processes will be critical to success.

Finally, public perception and regulatory complexity cannot be overlooked. As with many emerging technologies, CCU must navigate concerns around safety, environmental impact and long-term sustainability. Clear communication and transparent governance will be key to building public trust.

CCU as a Net Zero vector

Despite all this, the fact does remain that CCU is widely recognised as an essential component of the UK’s Net Zero pathway. The UK’s Climate Change Committee has repeatedly highlighted the importance of carbon capture technologies in meeting emissions reduction targets, particularly for industrial sectors and negative emissions solutions.

CCU also has a role to play in supporting the nascent hydrogen economy, where we can look to cleaner forms of the gas as a way to heat homes and move goods. Blue hydrogen—produced from natural gas with carbon capture—relies on CCU or CCS to minimise emissions. While the supply of green hydrogen produced via electrolysis is expected to grow, as things stand it’s not very common yet, so blue hydrogen is likely to act as a transitional solution, especially in the near to medium term.

In addition, CCU can contribute to circular economy principles by reusing carbon in productive ways. For example, captured CO₂ can be used in the production of synthetic fuels, enabling lower-carbon aviation and shipping, or incorporated into construction materials, effectively locking carbon into long-lived products.

CCU is not a silver bullet. It must be deployed alongside other decarbonisation measures, including energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy expansion. There are challenges in integrating these approaches into a coherent and balanced strategy.

Nonetheless, as we have demonstrated in our landmark work with emitters in North Wales and with some of Europe’s largest animal feed suppliers, CCU is here, working—and powering our own fast-growing, highly investable business.

What makes it certain that there is no false choice between Net Zero and growth?

To fully realise the potential of CCU in the UK, several key actions are required. First, there must be continued policy support, including clear long-term frameworks that provide certainty for investors. This includes mechanisms such as carbon pricing, contracts for difference, and targeted subsidies for early-stage projects.

Second, collaboration will be essential. CCU is inherently a system-level solution, requiring coordination between multiple stakeholders—industrial emitters, technology providers, infrastructure operators and regulators. Cluster-based approaches offer a promising model, but must be supported by effective governance and shared incentives.

Third, innovation must continue. Investment in research and development will help to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of CCU technologies, making them more competitive over time. This includes not only capture technologies, but also new and scalable utilisation pathways.

Finally, skills and workforce development will play a critical role. As the UK transitions to a low-carbon economy, ensuring that the workforce has the necessary expertise to design, build and operate CCU systems will be vital. This in turn creates jobs, a need for R&D investment, marketing, communication, training, and multiple other commercial activities in and of itself.

Is CCU a critical piece of the Net Zero future?

CCU represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the UK. While significant hurdles remain, the potential benefits—in terms of emissions reduction, economic growth and industrial resilience—are substantial.

As the UK moves closer to its 2050 Net Zero target, the role of CCU is likely to become increasingly prominent. The task now is to move from ambition to implementation, ensuring that the necessary policies, infrastructure and partnerships are in place to support large-scale deployment.

In doing so, the UK has the opportunity not only to meet its own climate goals, but to establish itself as a global leader in carbon capture innovation—helping to shape the future of low-carbon industry both at home and abroad.

A note on the Remediiate approach

A growing area of innovation within the UK’s CCU landscape is the use of microalgae to capture and convert industrial emissions into valuable products. Microalgae are highly efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, making them an effective biological solution for carbon capture.

When integrated with industrial emitters, such as power plants or manufacturing facilities, these systems can utilise waste CO₂ streams as a feedstock, transforming emissions into biomass.

This biomass can then be processed into a range of commercially viable outputs, including biofuels, animal feed, fertilisers and specialty chemicals. In this way, microalgae-based CCU not only reduces emissions at source but also supports the development of circular, low-carbon value chains… as we are already doing, with paying clients, and today.

In the UK context, this approach aligns strongly with both Net Zero ambitions and industrial strategy, particularly in sectors where emissions are difficult to eliminate entirely. By coupling carbon capture with product generation, microalgae solutions offer a more economically attractive pathway than traditional storage-only models, helping to offset the costs associated with decarbonisation. Furthermore, these systems can be deployed flexibly across industrial clusters, contributing to regional decarbonisation efforts while fostering innovation and green job creation.

As investment in CCU technologies accelerates, microalgae-based solutions are likely to play an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between environmental responsibility and commercial viability. Find out more .

Bottom line

There is no need to be anti-Net Zero and somehow ‘pro’ national growth.

Using CCU as one of many means, they actually go together into something well worth striving for: a Green Future.

In both senses of the word.