A Path to a Low-Carbon Future: Unlocking the Potential of Carbon Capture in Developing Countries

The world is facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of global warming and climate change. As countries around the world realize the need to combat this crisis, the importance of Carbon Capture Technology is becoming increasingly important. Carbon Capture is a technology that captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted, by humanity, through industrial processes and power generation and stores it away from the atmosphere. This technology has the potential to extract significant amounts of CO₂ from the atmosphere and reduce global CO₂ emissions and is, therefore, a crucial tool in the fight against the climate crisis.

According to a recent study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in the United Nations, carbon capture and storage technology can significantly limit global warming to below 1.5ºC. The study found a median average of 665 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide can be captured and stored using this technology between now and 2100.

The fight against climate change has evolved, pointing toward many solutions in recent years.

One of the most notable developments is the increasing use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. These technologies have resulted in a dramatic decrease in cost, making them increasingly competitive with fossil fuels. This has led to a significant increase in the deployment of renewable energy facilities worldwide and has helped reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

Another major development is the growing interest in green hydrogen as a source of clean energy. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using renewable energy sources and can be used in a variety of applications such as power generation, transportation, and industrial processes. This clean and versatile energy source has the potential to play a significant role in decarbonizing the global economy.

Furthermore, many countries and regions have set ambitious targets and policies to decarbonize their economies, such as net-zero emissions targets and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms. These policies and targets will help to drive investments toward clean energy and low-carbon technologies, accelerating the transition to a sustainable future.

Additional Read:Post-combustion Carbon Capture & Air Pollution

Developing countries have been playing an increasingly significant role in global carbon emissions in recent years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), developing countries are expected to account for more than 75% of the increase in energy-related CO₂ emissions by 2030.

One of the main drivers of emissions in developing countries is the rapid expansion of the power sector, particularly in the form of coal-fired power plants. This will lead to a significant increase in emissions from the power sector in many developing countries.

Another major contributor to emissions in developing countries is the industrial sector, such as the steel and cement industries. These industries are considered "hard-to-abate" sectors, as they are energy-intensive and difficult to decarbonize using current technologies.

Additionally, transportation is also a significant source of emissions in developing countries. The increasing number of vehicles on the road, along with the lack of regulations and infrastructure for alternative-fuel vehicles, is leading to a significant increase in emissions from the transportation sector.

Interesting Read: Why a Net Zero Company is Vital in Combating Climate Crisis

Developing countries face unique challenges and need extra help to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

One major challenge is the lack of financial resources to invest in clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Developing countries often have limited budgets and may not have the financial means to invest in expensive clean energy technologies. This makes it difficult for them to transition away from fossil fuels and decarbonize their economies.

Another challenge is the lack of infrastructure and regulations to support the deployment of clean energy and low-carbon technologies. Developing countries may not have the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of renewable energy, such as capable electric distribution networks, and may not have regulations in place to promote the adoption of clean energy, especially when human famine is (naturally) priorized.

Actually, developing countries tend to have a higher proportion of the population living in poverty; this makes it difficult to implement policies that could increase energy costs, which would burden poor households.

Also, developing countries usually face a lack of technical expertise and capacity to implement clean energy and low-carbon technologies. This makes it difficult for them to design and implement policies and regulations to promote the deployment of clean energy and low-carbon technologies.

Decarbonization has actually 2 faces: The elimination of the polluting forces using alternative power generation such as solar or green hydrogen, and emission reduction. Carbon capture has the unique ability to directly reduce emissions from industrial processes and power generation, which are major sources of emissions. Carbon capture is well-suited for hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement, which cannot rely on green power alone for decarbonization.

Furthermore, carbon capture can also be retrofitted to fossil-based power plants, such as natural gas and coal-powered plants. This allows the continued use of existing power generation assets to become more environmentally friendly while reducing emissions. This means that the investment already made in these power plants does not need to be scrapped, saving costs for developing countries.

Check out the innovative Carbonic Acid Injection System (CISx^®) technology used in Desalination Plants

In conclusion, the fight against climate change is a continuous process that requires sustained efforts and investments. We cannot expect immediate results but rather a gradual transition towards a low-carbon future.

Carbon capture technology is a crucial component of this fight, as it has the potential to significantly reduce global CO₂ emissions. Developing countries, in particular, can greatly benefit from this technology as it can provide a cost-effective and flexible solution for reducing emissions from power generation and hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement and retrofitting existing fossil power assets.

If you are interested in learning more about carbon capture and sequestration technology, we invite you to check out Gas Lab, where you can find more information on our cutting-edge carbon capture solutions. Together, we can pave the path for a low-carbon future.