Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one of the crucial technologies for reducing global temperature rise to far below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. However, a recent study performed by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the University of Bergen in Norway predicts that without rapid expansion and considerable efforts, CCS technology would not scale up quickly enough to reach these aims. In fact, even with significant efforts, attaining the 1.5°C target is extremely implausible.

What is Carbon Capture and Storage?

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) from big industrial operations and power stations before it enters the atmosphere. CO₂ is gathered and stored underground in geological formations like depleted oil and gas fields, typically through pipes. CCS can reduce emissions from industries, including steel, cement, and electricity generation. However, some applications, like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and direct air capture and storage (DACCS), can result in negative emissions by removing CO₂ from the environment.

Carbon Capture and Storage: A Critical Technology for Climate Mitigation

Carbon Capture and Storage is crucial to many climate mitigation measures, particularly those aimed at achieving net-zero emissions. This technique is crucial for reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as cement production and steel manufacture, which contribute significantly to global CO₂ emissions. Despite the promise of CCS, its current implementation is minimal, and adoption has been delayed.

“CCS is a critical technology for reaching negative emissions and lowering carbon emissions from some of the most carbon-intensive industries. However, our findings indicate that significant efforts need to close the gap between current demonstration projects and the widespread deployment required to prevent climate change,” says Jessica Jewell, Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology.

Study: Limited Expansion of Carbon Capture and Storage

A new study titled “Feasible Deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage and the Requirements of Climate Targets” examined both previous and prospective CCS growth rates to see whether the technology can develop quickly enough to achieve the climate objectives established in the Paris Agreement. The study’s findings provide a dismal picture of the future of CCS. The study forecasts that CCS technology can absorb and store up to 600 gigatons (Gt) of CO₂ over the 21st century.

This is far lower than the needs indicated in several climate mitigation strategies proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). By the end of the century, some scenarios predict that over 1000 Gt of CO₂ will be captured and stored. This disparity emphasizes the need to scale up CCS technology and the importance of beginning large-scale implementation sooner rather than later.

“Our study indicates that we are unlikely to capture and store more than 600 Gt during the twenty-first century. The study’s lead author, Tsimafei Kazlou, a PhD candidate at the University of Bergen in Norway, explains that this differs from several IPCC climate mitigation strategies that require capturing and storing up to 1000 Gt of CO₂ by the end of the century.

Timing of Carbon Capture and Storage Expansion is Crucial

Timing is crucial for attaining the 1.5°C and 2°C temperature targets, in addition to global CO₂ capture. According to the study, the later the technology begins to operate on a large scale, the less likely it is to keep temperature rise within certain limitations.

“If we delay deploying CCS, our chances of limiting temperature rise to 2°C or 1.5°C decrease dramatically. The majority of our study is on how quickly CCS can develop, and it’s evident that time is of the importance,” Kazlou says.

Need for Policy Support

The report emphasizes the importance of robust policy frameworks to promote CCS development and expansion. Governments play an important role in making CCS financially viable through measures such as the EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act and the Inflation Reduction Act in the United States. If all existing plans are carried out, CCS capacity might expand eightfold by 2030. However, this increase is subject to major financial and regulatory assistance.

“Rapid deployment of CCS needs strong support schemes to make CCS projects financially viable,” says Aleh Cherp, a professor at Central European University in Austria. “At the same time, our results show that since we can only count on CCS to deliver 600 Gt of CO₂ captured and stored over the 21st century, other low-carbon technologies like solar and wind power need to expand even faster.”

CCS Is Not a Silver Bullet

While CCS has enormous potential, it is not a solution for climate change mitigation. The report emphasizes the need for rapid expansion of other low-carbon technologies, such as renewable energy sources like wind and solar. In reality, depending simply on CCS would be insufficient to achieve global climate goals. To prevent global warming, a multifaceted approach will be required, including large expenditures on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and industrial electrification.

Conclusion:

The next decade will be vital to the future of Carbon Capture and Storage. If technology fails to advance swiftly, the prospects of attaining the 2°C target will be considerably reduced. CCS has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from the most carbon-intensive industries and achieve negative emissions, but it must be deployed on an unprecedented scale.

The study’s findings underline the significance of strong regulatory support and financial incentives for CCS deployment. Simultaneously, alternative low-carbon technologies must expanded alongside CCS in order to reach global climate targets. While carbon capture and storage is an important element of the solution, it is evident that it cannot carry the entire load of climate change mitigation.