E3G

Carbon Capture and Storage: Discussion in German Parliament

By Jennifer Morgan

On December 5th, the Green Party of Germany organised an experts discussion in the German Parliament on Carbon Capture and Storage entitled ‘CO2-free Power Plants: PR Gag or Option for the Future?’. A range of presentations were given by scientists, parliamentarians and companies. In addition, Green Party MP Reinhold Loske moderated a podium discussion with members from the environmental community and other experts.

The event presented a wealth of scientific information from climate science to geology and explored the challenges and opportunities around carbon capture and storage. In addition, RWE and BP presented their activities on CCS.

There is a great amount of concern around CCS in Germany, which is currently very dependent on coal and is in the midst of deciding which sources should dominate the energy mix in the future. There are worries that CCS could just be a “PR Gag” for the coal and utility industries to continue with business as usual. This is indeed a risk, but many discussed how to make them part of the solution. This would include making it very clear that after a certain date only CO2-free power stations should be built in Europe.

Much must occur in parallel to this including an accelerated research program focused on key issues around storage, permits, and how to retrofit old power plants to use CCS technologies.  It is crucial that the CCS debate occurs in a transparent and fact-based manner, especially in the involvement of civil society. The March 2007 meeting of the European Council, and the entire EU Strategic Energy Review, must take up these issues and provide a way forward.

E3G’s Jennifer Morgan contributed to the discussion. The content of her briefing paper follows below.

Carbon Capture and Storage

Meinshausen, M and Hare, W. PIK report 93, 2004, figure 8

1.) According to recent research, an average global warming of 2°C will result in dangerous and irreversible impacts (IPCC 2001, Graßl et al. 2003, Hare 2003, ECF and PIK 2004), which will rapidly worsen above a 2°C warming. These climate change impacts will lead to increased threats to human lives, particularly in poorer populations, loss of ecosystems and more instability.

Meinshausen, M. Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change, Cambridge 2005

2.) The weight of new scientific evidence shows climate sensitivity is far higher than previously estimated.  A doubling of concentration levels to 550 ppmv is likely to bring about a 3°C rise in temperature.

3.) The correct risk management strategy is to keep in the low probability range of a 2°C rise.  This implies a concentration level of 450 ppmv CO2eq to maintain a 50% chance of staying below 2°C, with a 400 ppmv CO2eq providing a greater than 50% chance.

4.) Actual reductions in global emissions would correspondingly need to be 40% below 1990 by 2050. Action in developed countries would need to be for reductions of 30-35% below 1990 level by 2020, with developing economies’ emissions continuing to grow up to 2010 or 2020 but reducing substantially thereafter. Global emissions must peak and decline in the next 10 to 15 years.