Carbon Capture, too Little too Late?

Carbon Capture Technology and the Sustainable Development Goals

Image by Jas Min.

Introduction

In this report, we will explore the relationship between carbon capture technology and greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs provide a framework for addressing global challenges, including climate change and environmental sustainability.

Carbon Capture Technology and Global Emissions

Carbon capture technology, including Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), plays a crucial role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, these technologies are currently falling short of meeting the timelines set by the SDGs. Global emissions have doubled in the past decade, posing a significant threat to the environment.

• Team Emissions vs. Team Carbon Capture: The metaphor of athletes in the Olympic games illustrates the gap between greenhouse gas emissions and carbon capture technology. While emissions are setting world records, carbon capture is still in the early stages of development.
• The Urgency of CO2 Removal: MIT estimates that nearly 20 billion tons of CO2 need to be captured annually to keep up with emissions. However, current carbon capture capacity is only able to remove a fraction of this amount. The existing CO2 in the atmosphere continues to contribute to global warming.
• The Scale of CO2 Removal: Since 1850, approximately 1,000 gigatons of human-generated CO2 have been emitted into the atmosphere. To lower atmospheric CO2 levels, a significant amount of CO2 needs to be removed, which is a multi-billion-ton task.

Current Status of Carbon Capture Technology

At present, the capacity of existing carbon capture facilities is limited:

1. Direct Air Capture (DAC): There are currently 130 DAC plants under development worldwide, with a collective CO2 removal capacity of about 11,000 metric tons annually. However, this capacity is insufficient compared to global emissions.
2. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): The oil and gas industry claims that CCS can neutralize CO2 emissions. However, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, even if realized at its full potential, CCS will only account for about 2.4% of the world’s carbon mitigation by 2030.

The Challenges of Carbon Removal

While carbon capture technology shows promise, there are significant challenges to overcome:

• Energy Demands: The energy demands of direct air capture are substantial and may exceed the energy obtained from burning fossil fuels. This makes carbon capture a costly and challenging solution for addressing climate change.
• Insufficient Capacity: Current approaches can only capture a small fraction of the CO2 that needs to be removed. To counteract climate change and reach desired atmospheric CO2 levels, billions of tons of CO2 would need to be captured and stored.

The Role of Technology in Addressing Climate Change

While carbon capture technology alone may not be sufficient to address climate change, research and development continue to explore new solutions:

• Passive Direct Air Capture (PDAC): Promising R&D efforts, such as Klaus Lackner’s Mechanical Tree, utilize PDAC to efficiently capture CO2 from the air. These technologies aim to sequester captured CO2 or use it for industrial purposes.

Conclusion

Carbon capture technology faces significant challenges in meeting the urgent need for CO2 removal. The scale of global emissions and the limited capacity of current carbon capture facilities highlight the need for accelerated technological advancements. While R&D efforts continue, it is crucial to explore a range of solutions to address climate change and achieve the SDGs.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of DAC plants under development and their CO2 removal capacity
• Amount of CO2 captured by current DAC and CCUS facilities
• Energy demands of direct air capture compared to fossil fuel emissions

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: counterpunch.org

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