1. What is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)?
CCS is a technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes, compresses it, and stores it underground to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
2. Why is CCS important in tackling climate change?
CCS helps to reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere, which is crucial for limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C and achieving net-zero emissions.
3. How does CCS work?
CCS involves capturing CO2 emissions at their source, compressing the gas into a liquid-like state, and then transporting it, typically via pipelines, to be stored deep underground in geological formations.
4. What are other methods of carbon capture besides industrial capture?
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and using seaweed to absorb CO2 are alternative methods. BECCS involves burning biomass and capturing the emitted CO2, while seaweed captures CO2 from seawater and can be converted into biochar fertilizer for long-term carbon storage.
5. How much CO2 needs to be captured and stored to limit global temperature rise?
The IPCC estimates that between 100 million to a billion tonnes of CO2 need to be captured and stored this century to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.
6. What are the criticisms of CCS?
Critics argue that CCS is expensive compared to renewable energy and that some projects are used to enhance oil and gas extraction rather than for climate mitigation.
7. What role do governments play in scaling up CCS?
Government support is crucial for CCS development, including funding, creating favorable policies, and using financial instruments like green bonds to attract investment.
8. What is the current status of CCS projects globally?
There are about 30 operational CCS projects worldwide, with 11 more under construction and 153 in development.
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