Hoesung Lee, the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has cautioned against over-reliance on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, stating that it could lead the world to surpass critical climate tipping points. Lee emphasized that while technologies that capture or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere may play a role in addressing climate change, countries must exercise caution and be aware of the potential costs and consequences associated with their use.
The IPCC's latest comprehensive report on climate science, published in three parts from 2021 to 2022, highlighted the urgent need for action on emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate breakdown. Lee reiterated that the report made it clear that swift action was required, emphasizing the phrase "now or never" to address the challenges posed by climate change. Lee emphasized that the IPCC's role is to provide scientific advice and remains neutral on policy matters. He stated that CCS technologies are part of the solutions to tackle emissions, but governments should make their own decisions regarding their use. The IPCC report indicated that high-carbon infrastructures should incorporate emissions reduction measures to stay within the carbon budget. The report also stressed the need to transition away from unabated fossil fuel use, replacing it with measures that can reduce carbon emissions.
It is worth noting that some representatives of fossil fuel interests have attempted to justify continued oil and gas production by citing the IPCC report's findings. They highlight a specific finding that a limited amount of oil and gas production in 2050 could align with the goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, an IPCC author clarified that while some oil and gas production may be permissible, drastic reductions in fossil fuel use are necessary. Experts in the field emphasize that the understanding that complete removal of fossil fuel use may be challenging does not justify expanding production. Instead, they argue for substantial reductions in fossil fuel production to align with the global net-zero emissions goal by 2050. They caution against using the IPCC report as an excuse to continue expanding fossil fuel operations, labeling it as a misrepresentation and misuse of the science.
Mark Maslin, a professor of earth system science at University College London, stresses the need for a significant reduction in fossil fuel production. He outlines the necessity of halving production over the next decade and reducing it to as close to zero as possible by 2050 to achieve the required emissions reductions. Professor Michael Mann, a climatologist at the University of Pennsylvania, further supports this stance, emphasizing that the IPCC does not dictate future energy sources. While low carbon emissions could be offset by negative emissions technology by 2050, there is no room for continued reliance on oil, gas, or coal if the necessary reductions are to be achieved. In conclusion, the IPCC chair warns against relying solely on carbon capture and storage technology as a solution to climate change. While CCS may play a role in reducing emissions, countries must be mindful of the associated costs and consequences. The IPCC report underlines the urgency of taking action to address climate change and emphasizes the need for substantial reductions in fossil fuel use to achieve the necessary emissions reductions.
A CSR Initiative of
Designed and Executed by
Implemented by
Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
