Climate change is one of the most significant risks facing our planet and all living things on it. In order to mitigate the impact and effects of climate change, countries worldwide have signed up to international climate goals like the Paris Agreement, which aim to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. To achieve these goals, the world needs to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which is why technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) are so crucial. Learn more about how carbon capture can help meet global goals and the potential for CCS to contribute to emissions reductions!
How can carbon capture help the world meet the global climate change goals?
With every passing year, it becomes more evident that climate change poses one of the gravest threats to our planet. Our dependence on fossil fuels has resulted in a surge in greenhouse gas emissions, causing irreversible harm to our environment.
Across the globe, policymakers and environmentalists alike have been searching for ways to tackle this issue and prevent further damage.
One of the solutions that have emerged includes carbon capture and storage, also known as CCS. This technology can mitigate some of the damage done in the past and, more importantly, serve as a bridge towards achieving Paris Agreement targets.
But what exactly are carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies? CCS is a process where carbon dioxide is captured from industrial processes like power generation and cement production. This captured carbon is then transported and stored underground in geological formations like depleted oil and gas fields.
The aim of CCS is to prevent carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, where it contributes to climate change, by capturing and permanently storing it underground.
That context being understood, carbon capture capture and storage has the potential to contribute significantly to reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meeting international climate goals like the Paris Agreement targets.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCS can potentially deliver around 15% of the global cumulative emissions reductions needed to 2060 to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.
CCS technology is already being implemented around the world, with a growing number of carbon capture and storage projects in operation or under construction.
This is because carbon capture can provide significant benefits, both environmental and economic. As notede CCS can contribute to reducing global GHG emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change.
In addition, carbon capture and storage technology have the potential to create jobs in the energy sector and support economic development. The IEA has estimated that CCS could create over 1 million jobs globally by 2050.
But what are the main challenges this technology faces?
The main challenges of carbon capture technology
Despite the numerous benefits of carbon capture and storage, there are also challenges associated with the technology. One of the main challenges is the cost of carbon capture technology, which can make it economically unfeasible in some cases. However, the cost of CCS is expected to decrease as technology improves and more carbon capture projects are developed.
Another challenge is public acceptance, as some people are concerned about the safety of storing carbon dioxide underground. This is why it Is essential to communicate the benefits of CCS and address any concerns people may have.
The public perception of CCS has been a significant obstacle to the technology’s adoption. While some are in favor of this technology, others are concerned about the environmental impact, cost, and feasibility.
However, as climate change opens our eyes to the consequences of inaction, and as we face the need to make rapid progress, sentiments towards this technology are changing.
Leaders from the world’s biggest economies have recently pledged to pursue carbon capture as part of their decarbonizing efforts.
There are even examples where businesses are turning to carbon capture to reduce their footprint, such as Norwegian oil company Equinor, which has been developing a carbon capture and storage site, set up to store 100 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Despite this and other challenges, the future of carbon capture looks promising, and several research and development projects are underway. The technology is advancing, but there is no single solution for carbon capture, and every project needs to be assessed on a stand-alone basis.
The adoption of carbon capture requires long-term vision and investment from governments, businesses, and the public. However, the progress made thus far is a positive sign on the path towards realizing global climate goals.
Despite being an emerging technology, carbon capture is taking the lead as a tool to help the world deal with climate change
In conclusion, the need for action on climate change is pressing, and we must act now to ensure that the future is sustainable. Carbon capture is a critical component in achieving the global community’s climate goals, such as those set out in the Paris Agreement. It represents a crucial bridge to a more sustainable future where low-carbon technologies are more commonplace.
The technology is emerging, and its full potential is yet to be realized, but we can see that investment in carbon capture has the potential to mitigate the harm already done to the environment.
As we work towards a future where carbon emissions are minimized, carbon capture should be seen as a crucial part of our path forward.
