Central Idea

At the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, discussions have centered on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon-dioxide removal (CDR) technologies.
The interpretation of ‘abatement’ is crucial in understanding the role and limitations of CCS and CDR in climate action.

Understanding CCS and CDR

CCS: This involves capturing CO₂ emissions at their source, such as in the fossil fuel industry and industrial processes, and storing them to prevent atmospheric release.
CDR: Encompasses natural methods like afforestation and technological approaches like direct air capture for absorbing and storing atmospheric CO₂.
COP28 Discussions: The term “unabated fossil fuels” in the draft texts refers to fossil fuel combustion without CCS. The texts advocate phasing out such fuels and enhancing emission removal technologies.

IPCC’s AR6 Report: Heavily reliant on CDR for meeting the 1.5 degrees C temperature limit, assuming significant CO₂ sequestration by 2040.
Challenges: Direct mitigation to reduce emissions is daunting, making CDR crucial.
CCS Limitations: Effective CCS requires high capture rates, permanent storage, and minimal methane leakage from upstream processes.

Land Use for CDR: Large-scale CDR methods, especially technological ones, require significant land, raising equity, biodiversity, and food security concerns.
Impact on the Global South: CDR projects in the Global South could infringe on indigenous land rights and compete with agricultural land use.
Financial and Ethical Questions: The cost and responsibility of implementing CDR at scale raise questions about who should bear these burdens.

Potential for Increased Emissions: CCS and CDR could inadvertently create leeway for continued or increased greenhouse gas emissions.
IPCC Emission Scenarios: To limit warming to 1.5 degrees C, significant reductions in coal, oil, and gas use are required by 2050, with or without CCS.
Gas Emissions Pathways: Higher reliance on CCS and CDR could lead to emission pathways with a greater contribution from gas.

Critical Decade Ahead: The next decade is pivotal in determining the viability and scalability of CDR methods.
Balancing Act: While CCS and CDR offer potential solutions for emission reduction, their implementation must be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences and ensure equitable and effective climate action.
Future of Climate Negotiations: The discussions and decisions at COP28 regarding CCS and CDR will significantly influence the trajectory of global climate action and the pursuit of the 1.5 degrees C target.