Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): Interconnected technological challenges and advances using biomass thermochemical conversion towards negative emissions

Addressing the climate crisis demands both emission reduction and large-scale negative emission technologies capable of permanently removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one of the most prominent options, as it integrates biomass conversion with CO₂ capture, transportation, and geological storage. Unlike conventional CCS, BECCS links a biological supply chain with an engineered capture-storage chain, creating strong interdependencies in which limitations at one stage propagate throughout the system. This review synthesizes progress made over the past five years across the full BECCS chain. In the conversion and capture stages, feedstock variability and high moisture content increase purification requirements, raising energy penalties and costs. Residual impurities affect transportation, elevating hydrate formation and corrosion risks, which in turn require strict impurity thresholds. At the storage stage, geological uncertainties affect both trapping mechanisms and long-term integrity, which in turn intensifies monitoring requirements. Recent advances in seismic imaging and well logging have enhanced storage reliability; however, integration remains site-specific and costly. Incremental improvements are insufficient; system-wide integration, standardized feedstock management, cost-effective monitoring, and transparent regulatory frameworks are required. Supported by stable incentives and international cooperation, BECCS could deliver gigaton-scale negative emissions and contribute meaningfully to the 1.5 °C climate target.