Carbon capture and storage

The Commission on Sustainable Development and other intergovernmental bodies have noted the potential of carbon capture and storage to mitigate climate change. Carbon sequestration entails trapping the carbon dioxide produced in the combustion of fossil fuels, or from other industrial processes, and then isolating it from the atmosphere for long periods by storing it in underground geologic formations.

Because the geologic storage capacity of CO2 is hundreds of times greater than current global levels of emission, carbon sequestration could, in principle, nearly eliminate carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources. Carbon capture and storage technology is also compatible with the existing energy infrastructure, and could therefore enable a flexible transition to a low-carbon future. The technology remains at an early stage of development, however, and further research and development, as well as a range of government support packages, are needed.

DESA provides a forum for experts from around the world to advance understanding of the potential of carbon capture and storage technology to mitigate the release of greenhouse gasses without compromising the supply of energy to meet development goals.

 

Dialogue, research, analysis

September 2007
United Nations expert group meeting on carbon capture and storage, and sustainable development
 

Partnerships


  • Methane to Markets
    Lead Partner:
     
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    The Methane to Markets Partnership is an international initiative that advances cost-effective, near-term methane recovery and use as a clean energy source. The goal of the Partnership is to reduce global methane emissions in order to enhance economic growth, strengthen energy security, improve air quality, improve industrial safety, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The Partnership cur...
  • Fostering Regional Energy Cooperation in APEC: Energy for Sustainable Development.
    Lead Partner:
    Government of Australia - Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources - Government of Mexico - Secretaria de Energia  
    Geographical Scope:
    Regional  
    Summary:
    The United Nations Economic and Social Councils notes that: "Access to energy is crucial to economic and social development, and alleviation of poverty. Improving accessibility of energy implies finding ways and means by which energy services can be delivered reliably, affordably and in an environmentally sound and socially acceptable manner, particularly in meeting the energy requirements of dev...
  • International Center for Carbon Sequestration and Biomass Energy (ICCS)
    Lead Partner:
    Pro-Natura International  
    Geographical Scope:
    Global 
    Summary:
    Many carbon sequestration initiatives, both public and private, are being implemented with the involvement of a wide spectrum of solutions. They nonetheless suffer from being scattered, difficult to access, and uneven in terms of quality. Overall access to proper scientific and technical information is also difficult and there is a lack of clear norms for carbon assets certification and verificati...