CCS endorsed as key to combating climate change

They believe that it should be appropriately recognised as a key mitigation strategy in international agreements, particularly at the December 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

Carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) have been endorsed as “an important element of any effective response to climate change” at a meeting of energy and environment ministers from the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum’s (CSLF’s) member nations.

The CSLF is a ministerial-level international climate change initiative, comprising membership from 23 developed and developing nations, including India and China. The forum aims to develop improved and cost-effective technologies to separate, capture, transport and store CO₂ from power plants and industrial facilities. It is reported that CSLF member countries account for 60% of the world’s population, 76% of manmade CO₂ emissions, 75% of energy consumption, 70% of energy production, and 76% of world GDP.

More projects necessary
The ministers noted in the International Energy Agency (IEA) CCS Roadmap that, in addition to the 20 industrial-scale CCS projects planned by 2010, “many more CCS projects will be necessary by 2020, half of which need to be in non-OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries.” The CSLF Strategic Plan, which outlines a path for international CCS collaboration, has been endorsed by the organisation. The plan is based on recommendations made by the CSLF and IEA to the G8 in Japan, 2008, including:

• Demonstrating CCS with a minimum of 20 integrated industrial-scale projects.
• Taking international action to accelerate deployment of CCS globally, particularly in developing countries.
• Addressing the financial gap and risks facing early projects.
• Establishing legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Using public education to raise awareness of CCS.

Key mitigation strategy
It was agreed that the use of CCS as a key mitigation strategy “should be appropriately recognised in international agreements, in particular, in the new agreements under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.” The Communiqué said that CCS should be recognised in all mitigation and technology incentives that form part of any agreement at the December 2009 UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen.

Capacity Building Plan
The ministers also announced the initiation of a CSLF Capacity Building Plan as a way to share knowledge and experience on CCS, “so that all CSLF members can develop capacity to effectively deploy [CCS]”. The communiqué continued: “Effective capacity building on such a scale requires the collaboration and commitment of diverse organisations. We therefore invite foundations, industry, multilateral institutions and other stakeholders to collaborate to support this important capacity building initiative.”

Best long-term potential
Meanwhile, a study released by the National Research Council has claimed that CCS provides the best long-term potential for US electricity growth by 2035. America’s Energy Future: Technology Opportunities, Risks and Tradeoffs concluded that CCS will provide nearly triple the power of hydroelectric wind and solar power combined, as well as over three times more than nuclear power.

It is estimated that the current fleet could generate 1200 TWh of energy pa, while new plants would add a further 1800 TWh. In comparison, nuclear power produces only 794 TWh, with multiple renewable sources generating just 1100 TWh.

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