Scotcast Acorn: a ‘greenwashing scam’?
Jun 11, 2025
Alex Lee, a climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, passionately describes the Acorn carbon capture project as a 'greenwashing scam' amidst widespread political support. Kevin Keane, BBC's environment correspondent, shares insights on carbon capture technology and raises concerns about its efficacy. The discussion critiques the gap between industry claims and reality, emphasizing the urgency to transition towards renewable energy solutions. Both guests highlight the risks of relying on carbon capture while the Scottish government faces challenges meeting climate targets.
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How Carbon Capture Works
- Carbon capture technology extracts CO2 from industrial pollution sources to reduce emissions.
- The captured carbon is piped and stored underground to prevent atmospheric release and slow climate change.
Skepticism Over Capture Efficiency
- Friends of the Earth Scotland argues the Acorn project overstates its carbon capture success and remains polluting.
- They claim actual capture rates could be much lower than industry's claimed 90-95%.
Funding Priorities Criticized
- Critics say carbon capture expenditure favors oil and gas industries instead of renewable energy.
- They believe investing in renewable energy and public transport offers better climate and social benefits.