\u201cOur research should ultimately become obsolete,\u201d says VU Amsterdam scientist Gerard van der Meijden. Alongside Cees Withagen and two fellow researchers, he studied carbon capture, utilisation and storage \u2014 technologies crucial for the energy transition. Which scenario leads to the optimal balance between societal benefits and losses?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerard, an associate professor of environmental economics, begins by explaining carbon emissions and capture to contextualise his findings. \u201cAs a society, we want to limit carbon emissions,\u201d he says. \u201cThe greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (shortened to its chemical name of CO2<\/sub>) causes global warming. It\u2019s released when fossil fuels are burned. The global climate target is to keep this temperature rise within 2\u00b0C by 2050, which comes with a carbon budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to reducing carbon emissions, limiting the rise in temperature is possible through two techniques: carbon capture and carbon storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With carbon capture and storage, you intervene at the end of the emissions process rather than beforehand. Is that ideal? Gerard explains: \u201cFor now, carbon capture is inevitable in parts of heavy industry. Steel and fertiliser production require intense heating, and cement production also leads to carbon emissions. There\u2019s no affordable, sustainable alternative yet. Without capturing CO2<\/sub>, the energy transition will be more expensive. And it\u2019s crucial to keep the energy transition affordable; otherwise, it won\u2019t have political or societal support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carbon capture, utilisation and storage are necessary keep the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy somewhat affordable. But Gerard stresses that it\u2019s not the only way to limit global warming. \u201cDecarbonisation is the most significant part of the solution. That means using less fossil fuels and more renewable energy. We won\u2019t meet the climate target if we continue to rely on oil and gas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Intervening after the fact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not <\/strong>the<\/strong><\/em> solution, but acceptable in the meantime<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n