The future of low emission technologies (LETs)
Low emission technology has already made significant progress in lowering carbon emissions as part of the global energy mix.
At the same time as more carbon emissions are being captured and either stored or used by industry, a new generation of LETs are set to take the next step forward and help remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Experts say that if we are to limit temperature rises to less than 2 degrees Celsius – the goal of the Paris Agreement – we need to push beyond ‘carbon neutral’, where carbon introduced into the atmosphere is balanced by the same amount being removed.
That means we need to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than we emit, achieving net negative emissions.
The latest types of LETs are focused on developing ‘carbon removal’ to decarbonise and offset emissions-intensive sectors of the economy, such as heavy industry and heavy transport.
References
[1] Bioenergy and carbon capture and storage. https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BECCS-Perspective_FINAL_18-March.pdf
[2] Direct Air Capture, IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/direct-air-capture
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