Identifying Near-Term Opportunities for Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) in China

Achieving the urgently needed emission reductions necessary to avoid the worst consequences of global warming will require efforts beyond first-resort measures such as energy efficiency, conservation, and enhancement of natural carbon sinks. Given the world's current heavy reliance on fossil fuels, nations must pursue a wide range of carbon mitigation strategies that includes Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).

In this summary of an upcoming NRDC issue paper we detail the geological, technological, and economic factors that make China well-suited for widespread adoption of CCS. For example, the close proximity between many carbon dioxide sources—including high-purity carbon dioxide streams—and potential carbon dioxide reservoirs provides for relatively low-cost CCS opportunities. With broad support and engagement from the international community, China is well-positioned to be a global leader in the development and deployment of CCS technologies that can be an important tool for reducing carbon emissions as the world transitions to truly clean energy technologies.