Why carbon capture and storage will not solve the climate crisis any time soon

The Challenges of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology in the UK

The promises of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology date back almost 20 years. Yet today, no leading CCS facility is up and fully running in the UK.

Government Approval for New CCS Projects

Until Rishi Sunak’s announcement on Monday, there were two carbon capture projects in the UK, one in Merseyside and the other in Teesside and the Humber. Two further transport and storage projects, the Viking scheme in the Humber and the Acorn scheme in Aberdeenshire, have now been given government approval. The four CCS hubs are intended to collect CO₂ from multiple sources and pipe it offshore to be stored in depleting North Sea gas fields.

CCS as Part of a Comprehensive Strategy

According to Stuart Haszeldine, professor of carbon capture and storage at the University of Edinburgh, announcing more CCS schemes at the same time as approving 100-plus new oil and gas drilling licences is like ordering a truckload of cigarettes for someone giving up smoking. Haszeldine emphasizes that CCS should be part of a comprehensive package of measures including increasing renewables, doubling or quadrupling electricity production, improving energy efficiency through insulation, and other sustainable practices.

The Role of CCS in Achieving Net Zero

CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide from industrial facilities, such as chemical plants and oil refineries, then transporting and storing it. The UK’s geology is suitable for storing carbon, and empty oilfields in the North Sea have been selected for storage. CCS is intended to be used in the transition to net zero to capture carbon from industries that will be harder to decarbonise, including cement, iron, and steel.

The Need for Negative Emissions

A second nascent industry in capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere is less developed than CCS linked to industrial facilities. The process of removing CO₂ from the atmosphere is known as negative emissions. While some environmentalists express skepticism about CCS, Jim Watson, professor of energy policy and director of the Institute for Sustainable Resources at University College London, argues that it is necessary to decarbonise the whole industry.

The Challenges and Uncertainties of CCS

The history of CCS in the UK has been chequered, with many false starts over the years. Some existing projects around the world have not been as successful as planned, raising doubts about the long-term viability of CCS. Unique geology and changing subsurface conditions pose challenges to the industry. Additionally, there is a need for strict regulation and monitoring to ensure permanent storage of CO₂ and prevent its use by fossil fuel companies for further extraction.

The Urgency of CCS Implementation

The UK has set a target to capture between 20m and 30m tonnes of CO₂ by 2030. However, there are concerns about whether CCS can deliver the required storage capacity within this timeframe.

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, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• 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?

• Indicator for SDG 7.2: Proportion of total energy consumption from renewable sources.
• Indicator for SDG 9.4: CO₂ emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated their national climate change mitigation plans.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis:

The article discusses the issues related to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology and its role in achieving sustainable development goals. The following analysis provides a breakdown of the relevant SDGs, targets, and indicators based on the article’s content.

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

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article discusses the need to transition from burning gas and oil to renewable energy sources.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The article mentions the need to upgrade infrastructure and adopt clean technologies for sustainable industries.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The article emphasizes the importance of carbon capture and storage in achieving climate action goals.

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

The specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• SDG 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article highlights the need to increase the use of renewables to reduce reliance on gas and oil.
• SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes. The article mentions the importance of upgrading infrastructure and adopting clean technologies for sustainable industries.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. The article emphasizes the need to integrate carbon capture and storage into national policies and strategies for climate change mitigation.

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

The article implies the following indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for SDG 7.2: Proportion of total energy consumption from renewable sources. This indicator can measure the progress in increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Indicator for SDG 9.4: CO₂ emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries. This indicator can measure the progress in upgrading industries to make them sustainable and reducing carbon emissions.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries that have communicated their national climate change mitigation plans. This indicator can measure the progress in integrating climate change measures into national policies and strategies.

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: theguardian.com

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