In a nutshell: Using carbon capture and storage (CCS) for climate action
CCS consists of several steps. First the CO2 is captured from an exhaust stream, then transported to be either permanently stored or used as a raw material for new products. Source: European Union.
Why is the topic of CCS so important?
Why is the topic of CCS so important?
- The UN's Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) includes CCS in all pathways to sufficiently limit global warming, highlighting its necessity for achieving climate goals.
- The EU and many countries across the globe are pushing for CCS deployment, focusing on industrial applications and adapting legal frameworks to support its implementation.
- There is an ongoing debate about CCS being essential for climate protection on the one hand and potentially leading to less ambitious emission reductions on the other hand.
What is the key role of CCS in climate action?
What is the key role of CCS in climate action?
- CCS is considered essential for achieving climate goals, particularly for limiting global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
- The technology can help to decarbonise sectors where it is difficult to lower carbon intensity, such as cement and steel production.
- In certain cases, it is currently the only technically viable way to eliminate CO₂ emissions that are inherent to the chemistry of the production (so-called process-related emissions) - in contrast to emissions from burning fossil fuels.
- CCS can complement other climate action measures, such as renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- CCS has a large potential, with relatively limited risks if managed properly.
- Many technologies used in industrial CCS can also be used to achieve negative emissions, such as carbon storage technologies.
Challenges and limitations
Challenges and limitations
- CCS is expensive, with significant costs for capture, transport, and storage.
- The process requires a lot of energy, which can increase overall emissions if not managed properly.
- CCS can be used to remove a substantial part of an industrial facility's emissions, but not all of them.
- CCS requires substantial amounts of water (mostly for cooling), which can be a problem in drier regions.
- There is a lack of infrastructure for large-scale implementation, particularly in transporting and storing CO₂.
Future prospects
Future prospects
- CCS will likely be required for climate neutrality, but there are significant hurdles to its ramp-up.
- Ongoing research and development are expected to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of CCS.
- Governments are increasingly recognising the importance of CCS and are developing policies to support its implementation.
- Many CCS projects are under development, particularly in Europe, aiming to scale up the technology.
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