Carbon Capture and Storage from the Perspective of International Law

Abstract

It is generally accepted that the carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration in the atmosphere should be reduced to limit its adverse effects on the earth’s climate. Alongside strategies to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve the energy efficiency of industrial processes, technological approaches to climate change mitigation such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) are increasingly subject to debate. CCS represents one option in a larger portfolio of mitigation strategies for climate change. It consists of three distinct technological stages: separation, capture, and storage (also referred to as sequestration). CO₂ released by combustion processes in power plants is separated from other emissions and captured. After transport to a suitable storage location, CO₂ is isolated for extended periods to prevent its release into the atmosphere. The increasing relevance of CCS can be attributed to the fact that scientists suspect the existence of a huge number of geological formations on land and under the oceans with characteristics suitable for the storage, or geosequestration, of CO₂.