How can CCS help prevent global warming?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) highlighted that, if we are to achieve the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and limit future temperature increases to 1.5°C (2.7°F), we must do more than just increasing efforts to reduce emissions – we also need to deploy technologies to remove carbon from the atmosphere. CCS is one of these technologies and can therefore play an important role in tackling global warming.

How does CCS actually work?

There are three steps to the CCS process:

1. Capturing the carbon dioxide for storage

The CO2 is separated from other gases produced in industrial processes, such as those at coal and natural-gas-fired power generation plants or steel or cement factories.

2. Transport

The CO2 is then compressed and transported via pipelines, road transport or ships to a site for storage.

3. Storage

Finally, the CO2 is injected into rock formations deep underground for permanent storage.

What is carbon capture and storage?

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a way of reducing carbon emissions, which could be key to helping to tackle global warming. It’s a three-step process, involving: capturing the carbon dioxide produced by power generation or industrial activity, such as steel or cement making; transporting it; and then storing it deep underground. Here we look at the potential benefits of CCS and how it works.