About UKCCSC

• Mission Statement


• Objectives


• Structure and secretariat


• Advisory Committee and international reference group

Mission Statement

To promote an understanding of how options for decoupling fossil fuel use from carbon emissions through the use of carbon capture and storage could be used to assist the UK in achieving an energy system which is environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable and meets energy needs securely and affordably.

Our Objectives

1. Provide an open forum for CCS academics to share results from ongoing work.
2. Produce online resources and a regular newsletter to encourage communication and facilitate dissemination of research outcomes.
3. Support early career researchers in their development through a targeted programme and participation in other UKCCSC activities.
4. Enable expansion of the academic CCS R&D community in the UK through active engagement of established academics who wish to broaden or redirect their skills to contribute towards R&D on CCS.
5. Improve communication of key research outcomes from the UK CCS R&D community to a broad range of stakeholders.
6. Strengthen existing international links and, where necessary, create new opportunities for international collaboration and dissemination of UK CCS R& outcomes overseas.
7. Co-ordinate contributions from the academic community in shaping future priorities for CCS R&D in the UK.

UKCCSC Structure

UKCCSC is run by a secretariat (based at the University of Edinburgh) with strategic guidance provided by an Advisory Committee and an International Reference User Group. Academic members are comprised of over 250 engineering, technological, natural, environmental, social and economic academic members with CCS interests. Additionally, industry, governmental and NGO stakeholders contribute a further 250 to this growing network. This diverse community contributes to a dynamic network that is growing to expand all areas of relevant research and understanding in the CCS setting.

UKCCSC secretariat

The UKCCSC secretariat is led by both PIs for the project, Professors Jon Gibbins (School of Engineering) and Stuart Haszeldine (School of Geosciences). UKCCSC is run by Robin Cathcart, Network Manager. Co-PIs for the project, Hannah Chalmers and Mark Wilkinson provide added guidance and coordinate the Early Careers Programme and UKCCSC newsletter, respectively. The UKCCSC secretariat also includes part time support from Nicola McRobbie.

UKCCSC advisory committee

A project advisory committee was established to guide the development of UKCCSC as it responds to the rapidly evolving challenges and requirements for CCS R&. It is comprised of government, NGO, industry and academic members who have strong backgrounds and interest in CCS. Members include:
Matthew Bilson – Department of Energy and Climate Change, Office of CCS
Jerry Blackford – Plymouth Marine Laboratory (annual rotating academic position)
Jeff Chapman – Carbon Capture and Storage Association
– UK Energy Research Centre
Steve Crossman – Foreign Commonwealth Office
Chris Littlecott – E3G
Philip Sharman – Evenload Associates
Jacqui Williams – Research Councils UK Energy Programme

International Reference User Group

An international reference user group is made up of representatives from organisations based in other countries or with international activities. The group ensures that strong links are maintained between UK researchers and the international CCS community.