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The technological and economic prospects for CO2 utilization and removal

Author

Listed:
  • Cameron Hepburn

    (University of Oxford
    University of Oxford)

  • Ella Adlen

    (University of Oxford)

  • John Beddington

    (University of Oxford)

  • Emily A. Carter

    (Princeton University
    University of California
    University of California)

  • Sabine Fuss

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    Department of Geography, Humboldt University of Berlin)

  • Niall Mac Dowell

    (Imperial College London)

  • Jan C. Minx

    (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change
    University of Leeds)

  • Pete Smith

    (University of Aberdeen)

  • Charlotte K. Williams

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

The capture and use of carbon dioxide to create valuable products might lower the net costs of reducing emissions or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Here we review ten pathways for the utilization of carbon dioxide. Pathways that involve chemicals, fuels and microalgae might reduce emissions of carbon dioxide but have limited potential for its removal, whereas pathways that involve construction materials can both utilize and remove carbon dioxide. Land-based pathways can increase agricultural output and remove carbon dioxide. Our assessment suggests that each pathway could scale to over 0.5 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide utilization annually. However, barriers to implementation remain substantial and resource constraints prevent the simultaneous deployment of all pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Cameron Hepburn & Ella Adlen & John Beddington & Emily A. Carter & Sabine Fuss & Niall Mac Dowell & Jan C. Minx & Pete Smith & Charlotte K. Williams, 2019. "The technological and economic prospects for CO2 utilization and removal," Nature, Nature, vol. 575(7781), pages 87-97, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:575:y:2019:i:7781:d:10.1038_s41586-019-1681-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1681-6
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