EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: BUILDING OUR WAY TO NET ZERO: CARBON DIOXIDE PIPELINES IN THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
The 28th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai emphasized the transition away from fossil fuels and the acceleration of zero- and low-emission technologies, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The global ambition to mitigate carbon emissions through CCS and CDR technologies has reached unprecedented levels.
Key Messages
- Critical Role of CCS: CCS technology is pivotal in achieving a net-zero emissions world due to its ability to halt CO2 emissions from reaching the atmosphere and its versatility in various industrial sectors.
- Versatility and Scalability: CCS can be applied to both new facilities and existing industries like chemicals, steel, cement manufacturing, and power generation. It also supports the scaling of CDR technologies for CO2 removal and storage.
- Infrastructure Requirement: To meet the country's net-zero goals, substantial expansion of CO2 pipeline infrastructure in the U.S. is necessary. Estimates suggest the need for over 20,000 to 96,000 miles of new CO2 pipelines.
- Regulatory and Safety Standards: CO2 pipelines in the U.S. are well-regulated, with federal and state authorities setting stringent standards for design, materials, construction, and operations, ensuring a strong safety record.
- Community Engagement: Communities in the U.S. lack familiarity with CCS technology. Robust community engagement is essential throughout the CO2 pipeline project lifecycle, especially regarding environmental justice issues.
- Timely Deployment: The need for timely deployment of CO2 transportation infrastructure is imperative to align with net-zero targets. This includes not just capturing CO2 but also connecting it to new CO2 storage sites.
Conclusion
Achieving net-zero emissions requires a comprehensive approach that includes the deployment of CCS technologies at scale, coupled with robust CO2 pipeline infrastructure. Immediate action is necessary to build this infrastructure, ensuring it is in place to manage CO2 effectively and contribute to global climate goals.
