This does not only affect the Dutch climate targets. If we want to stay close to 1.5 degrees for the Paris Agreement, it is important that we have many options, including carbon dioxide storage. So says Detlev van Vouren, a climate researcher at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and Utrecht University.
For this, global emissions must be net zero in 2050, and even negative thereafter. Now that seems difficult without the use of carbon dioxide storage. “So it’s important to experiment with technology,” says Van Vuuren.
This hasn’t gone anywhere yet. As large storage projects are being shut down, there has been little progress in developing the technology over the past 15 years. In 2010, for example, a smaller-scale experiment near Barendrecht in the Netherlands was called off.
The truth lies somewhat in the middle, says Van Vouren. Older climate scenarios often assumed a larger share of CO2 storage, for example in coal-fired power plants. This option is off the table because sustainable energy has grown faster in practice and has also become much cheaper than thought at the time.
But let’s not lose sight of the environmental damage caused by climate change, says Porthos spokesperson Sjaak Poppe. “If the Greenland ice sheet melts, the sea level will rise 7 meters and the fragile nature we are talking about will be flooded, so to speak.”
In short, it is a difficult case for a judge. As long as the nitrogen bucket is filled to the brim, it probably won’t be the last for a while, either.
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