Methods for removing sulfur dioxide from a gas stream are disclosed. A method may include passing a gas stream comprising SO2 through a gas scrubbing apparatus. A scrubbing liquor comprising hydroxide ions and at least one oxidation catalyst may be flowed into the gas scrubbing apparatus, thereby contacting the gas stream with the scrubbing liquor. In response to the contacting, at least 90 wt. % of the sulfur dioxide may be removed from the gas stream. Concomitant to the contacting, at least some of the sulfur dioxide may react with at least some of the hydroxide ions, thereby forming sulfite ions in the scrubbing liquor. Some of the sulfite ions may be oxidized, via the oxidation catalyst, thereby forming sulfate ions in the scrubbing liquor. A used scrubbing liquor may be discharged from the scrubbing apparatus.