(SKY) DRAX - UK'S BIGGEST CO2 SOURCE

If coal and biomass emissions are combined, Drax's Selby plant is the third biggest CO2 emitter of all EU power stations, according to the research

A government-subsidised renewable energy plant run by Drax is the biggest single source of carbon dioxide in the UK, according to new analysis shared exclusively with Sky News.

Drax's Yorkshire power plant receives multimillion pound subsidies for burning woody biomass pellets to generate renewable electricity.

New research by climate think tank Ember said the plant is among the biggest sources of carbon dioxide and PM10 (particulate matter of 10 micrometres and smaller) air pollution of all EU power stations - when biomass emissions are included - more even than some of Europe's dirtiest coal plants.

Yet the emissions are not counted towards the UK's total.

The UK excludes these biomass emissions from its total count, because - like the EU - it treats bioenergy as immediately carbon neutral on the assumption that forest regrowth soaks up the carbon again.

But recent science disputes this carbon neutrality, said Ember's chief operating officer Phil MacDonald. In fact there is a "real risk" that biomass is responsible for "significant emissions" he said - Sky News - link - Victoria Seabrook - link - more like this - link