Why carbon capture and storage is important
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical technology for mitigating climate change and its effects on the planet. Its use in industrial processes and power generation can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by preventing carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.
Why do we need carbon capture?
CCS technologies capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes and power plants before they are released into the atmosphere, then store them underground or in other secure geological formations. This process can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Additionally, CCS helps to enable the continued use of fossil fuels in industrial processes while reducing their environmental impact. This is particularly important in regions where the use of renewable energy sources may not yet be feasible or affordable.
The importance of carbon capture
The continued development and deployment of carbon capture strategies is crucial in the transition to a low-carbon future. Not only does it help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by removing CO2 output from industrial processes and power plants, but it also enables the continued use of fossil fuels in regions where it is difficult to rapidly switch to renewable energy sources. This in turn helps to support sustainable economic development in those regions. Additionally, there are some processes – such as cement production and steel manufacturing – that will continue to produce CO2 even if renewable energy is used. Carbon capture removes these harmful emissions, delivering a reliable and flexible solution.
The importance of carbon storage
Once CO2 is captured, something must be done with it. The amount of CO2 emitted from industrial use far outweighs the requirement for it to be used elsewhere, so safe storage is imperative. Storage delivers the same advantages as capture – removing harmful emissions and supporting sustainable industrial operations – but safe storage is what prevents the CO2 from returning to the atmosphere and undoing these benefits. It also offers the prospect of using the stored CO2 in future processes if demand increases or new technologies develop that require it.
Benefits of carbon capture and storage
Carbon capture and storage delivers a range of benefits for the climate, the economy, energy security, and industrial operations.
Climate benefits
CCS technology can capture the emissions of CO2 from industrial processes and power plants, preventing them from entering the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. This helps reduce carbon dioxide’s impact on global warming and other adverse environmental effects, such as rising sea levels, an increased frequency of extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity.
Economic benefits
CCS technology can also enable the continued use of fossil fuels while reducing their environmental impact. This is particularly important in regions where renewable energy sources may not yet be readily available, helping to balance environmental concerns with economic growth and development. Additionally, the development and deployment of CCS technology can create job opportunities in a range of industries, including engineering, construction, and operations.
Energy security benefits
CCS technology can help to enhance a nation’s energy security by increasing the reliability of domestic energy supplies, and reducing dependence on imported energy sources.
Future-use benefits
The CO2 captured from industrial processes and power plants and then stored using CCS can be used later for enhanced oil recovery, as a feedstock for chemicals, or for a range of other uses.
Carbon capture and storage legislation
Governments and economic organizations around the world have recognized the importance of CCS technology in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change, and have developed – or are developing – legislative frameworks to support its development and deployment.
EU legislation
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is the key legislation that regulates emissions from large industrial installations in the EU, including those that may use CCS technology. The EU is also developing a legal framework to promote the development and deployment of CCS technology, including the EU CCS Directive and the Innovation Fund. Under the EU Directive on the geological storage of CO2 (2009/31/EC), EU member states are obliged to transpose the provisions of the CCS Directive into national law and must communicate the text of any such laws and other administrative measures to the European Commission.
EU targets for CCS
The “Fit for 55” package, published in July 2021 and subject to ongoing revisions, outlines the EU’s goal to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 55% by 2030. As part of this package, the EU aims to have 10 million tonnes of CO2 capture capacity in operation by 2025, and 40 million tonnes by 2030. The EU has also set a target of 50 million tonnes of operational CO2 storage capacity by 2030.
US legislation
The USE IT Act (Utilizing Significant Emissions with Innovative Technologies Act) was signed into law in 2020, which aims to support the development and commercialization of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies in the US. In addition, the 45Q tax credit provides incentives for carbon capture and storage projects in the US.
US targets for CCS
In a February 2022 report, the US Department of Energy outlined plans to achieve 2.0 gigatonnes of CO2 capture and storage per year by 2050. This is supported by the US Energy Act of 2020, which authorized more than US$6 billion for CCS research, development, and demonstration programs.
UK legislation
The UK has a legally binding target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which will require the deployment of CCS technology. The UK government has launched several initiatives to support the development and deployment of CCS technology, including the Clean Growth Strategy and the Industrial Decarbonization Strategy. Additionally, the Carbon Capture, Usage, and Storage (CCUS) Deployment Action Plan aims to accelerate the development and deployment of CCUS in the UK.
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