Mitigation measures to address climate change and reduce atmospheric concentrations of CO2 will require both CO2 reduction technologies and technologies to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. This challenge is magnified when we think about the expected growth in the global economy by 2050 and expected consumption increase in energy and other commodities, along with the need to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C above preindustrial levels. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technologies and Direct Air Capture of Carbon are technologies that need to be considered towards the goal of meeting warming targets as well net zero carbon targets.
CCS involve technologies that capture CO2 from large point sources such as industrial facilities or power stations, converts the CO2 to a supercritical fluid through compression followed by permanent storage of the supercritical fluid through injection into suitable geological structures beneath the earth’s surface. Direct air capture are the technologies to capture CO2 from the atmosphere either for usage in product or production of fuels or chemicals. Another alternative is permanent storage of the captured CO2 in geological formations which results in negative emissions.
The control of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, from human activity especially from the oil, gas and coal sectors as well as municipal solid waste landfills is another important area of focus for meeting global warming targets.
Our paper looks at current technologies and developments in this space including economics and regulatory developments that can help spur adoption to help achieve the deadlines for net-zero carbon emissions.
