Greenpeace warns on carbon storage technologies
November 5, 2007
The environment pressure group, Greenpeace, has published a briefing on the technology of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), describing it as "unproven" and promotion of the technology as "unwise".
The briefing says that that CCS is a means of separating out carbon dioxide when burning fossil fuels, collecting it and subsequently "dumping" it underground or in the sea.
Greenpeace argues that CCS, particularly in relation to coal combustion, is an unproven technological response to the creation of the waste product, carbon dioxide.
Critics, including Greenpeace, also claim that CCS will serve as a justification for increasing dependence on fossil fuels at a time when all efforts should be focused on moving towards the proven solutions of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Greenpeace says that in developing countries, the "promise" of CCS threatens to derail efforts to develop low-carbon energy systems.
The note concludes, "As long as CCS remains speculative, while alternatives are already available to meet our energy needs in a safe and sustainable manner, this technology should not be viewed as a legitimate tool in the fight to combat climate change."
Finally, the note says, "The pursuit of CCS as a ‘solution' is unwise given its lack of technological maturity and the absence of commercial viability. The construction of "capture ready" power plants places hope in an end-of-pipe solution that may or may not be realised in time to effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector."
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