Category: Carbon Capture and Storage

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Carbon Capture and Storage United Kingdom

April 24, 2006 – CCS is gonna save us (again) (meeting of the parliamentary and scientific committee)

On this day, 20 years ago,  

OUR ENERGY FUTURES FOR SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE POWER: FROM CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY WITH CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE, MICROGENERATION, TIDAL, WIND AND NUCLEAR

MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 24TH APRIL 2006- Science in Parliament newsletter

scienceinparliament.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/sip63-3.pdf

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 382ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures. 

The broader context was that CCS had been talked about briefly in the late 1970s, and a bit more in the early 1990s, but nobody took it seriously because, you know, behaviour change and carbon trading was all that was needed.

The specific context was that from the early 2000s it was obvious that behaviour change and carbon trading were grotesquely inadequate. Ooh, let’s pull “CCS” out of the garbage can (Cohen’s garbage can).

What I think we can learn from this is that if you really want an idea to grab a minister’s attention, get the policy wonks on board (they’ll influence the civil servants) and also the minister’s colleagues (loved or loathed) in parliament.  

What happened next:  CCS got more support. A “competition” was announced in late 2007. Fell over. Was picked up, dusted off and started again. Kneecapped with the body thrown in a dumpster in 2015.  Resurrected again between 2016 and 2018.  And is currently having enormous sums of public money thrown at it.  Somebody should write a book.

Also on this day

April 24, 1980 – the climate models are sound…

April 24, 1994 – a carbon tax for Australia?

Categories
Australia Carbon Capture and Storage

April 3, 2008 – CCS demo plant in Australia

On this day Thursday, 3 April 2008 

The World’s (then) “largest CO2 storage demo plant” opens in Victoria.

THE launch of Australia’s first carbon dioxide storage demonstration project is a “key strategic initiative in the global challenge of addressing climate change”, according to Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Mitchell Hooke. 

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 385ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures. 

The broader context was that carbon capture and storage had first been proposed as a solution – a partial solution – to carbon dioxide build up in the mid 1970s by an Italian physicist, Cesar Marchetti, as part of the whole IASSA attempt to offer solutions.   

The specific context was that was10 years previously, in the late 1990s the GEODISC programme had gotten underway, and in 2001 the Prime Minister’s Science, Economics and Industry Council then chaired by Roy Batterham, (who was part time also the chief technology officer for Rio Tinto), had put forward CCS as a useful way of side-stepping climate policy and the need for behaviour change and societal transformation. There had been further insane promises about CCS during the 2000s and then in 2008 we see this pilot project begin.

What I think we can learn from this is that  these fantasy technologies have a long history, and it’s not one of success.

What happened next:  Otway kept storing trivial amounts of CO2 and it’s not clear to me that any meaningful lessons were learned. But I’m not a geologist. The big CCS project in Australia is Gorgon as per Chevron, and you can read about its stunning world changing successes here.

Also on this day: 

April 3, 1995 and 2001 – Australia’s international trajectory – from bullshit to batshit delusion (but honest)

April 3, 1980 – US news anchorman Walter Cronkite on the greenhouse effect

April 3, 1991- Does coal have a future?

April 3, 2000 – Australian diplomats spread bullshit about climate. Again

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Australia Carbon Capture and Storage

March 27, 1990 – Greenweek on carbon capture

Thirty years ago, on this day, March 27th, 1990,

On this day, the publication Greenweek has a news article titled

“Radical way to take carbon dioxide from power stations”

“A dramatic fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the industrialised Hunter Valley in NSW could come about if the Hunter Technology Group can proceed with studies of a radical method of removing carbon dioxide emissions from power stations.

“The group is seeking $150,000 from the NSW Government to study a proposal whereby carbon dioxide emissions would be pumped along ground-level pipelines to rural and forest areas, rather than be sent through smokestacks into the atmosphere.”

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 354ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures. 

The broader context was that Green Week had been set up by an enterprising journalist, I think in the beginning of 1989  and was doing exactly what it said, publicising events and policy discussions, etc. And here we see discussion in its early stages of quote, carbon capture and storage a fantasy, if ever there were one. 

The specific context was that all sorts of bullshit was being bullshitted at this time.

What I think we can learn from this is that the carbon capture and storage thing, which had started in the mid 1970s as a putative solution to CO2 build up, was there in the undergrowth in the 90s.

What happened next

The fantasy technology staggers on. The amount of CO2 actually captured is pitiful, especially if you take out the stuff that is used for enhanced oil recovery. 

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

References

Xxx

Also on this day: 

March 27, 1966 – The “Conservation Society” to be launched

March 27, 1971 – Norwegian Tabloid talks about the climate threat 

March 27th, 1977- what we can learn from Dutch arrogance and aviation disasters

March 27, 1995 – former Nature editor John Maddox admits was wrong on Greenhouse, without, er, admitting it.

March 27, 2008 – James Hansen writes a letter to Kevin Rudd

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Carbon Capture and Storage United Kingdom Upcoming events

Upcoming event – March 26th – “Carbon Capture or Carbon Fiction? Science, Policy, and the UK’s Methane Blind Spot”

Next Thursday – March 26th – at 6.15pm, Dr Andrew Boswell is giving a talk at the Royal Society of Chemistry on “Carbon Capture or Carbon Fiction? Science, Policy, and the UK’s Methane Blind Spot“. 

The talk will be livestreamed.  It would be good to see you in

If you live in the London area (the talk is at Burlington House, central London). 

Details on how to book both are at https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/82590/carbon-capture-or-carbon-fiction-science-policy-and-the-uk-s-methane-blind-spot

The talk will introduce new material from Boswell’s work on the UK policy framing of Carbon Capture, supporting the call from campaigners for an evidenced based review of UK (and global) CCS policy. 

Please forward on to colleagues who may be interested. 

See also –

Interview with Andrew Boswell – “When I found the double-counting error, I thought, ‘no, they can’t really be doing that.'” – All Our Yesterdays

Categories
Carbon Capture and Storage

February 13, 2024 – Twiggy Forrest says CCS is not a solution

Two years ago, on this day, February 13, 2024

PARIS, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Carbon capture is not a solution for the energy transition and political leaders need to provide real, non-greenwashed, commitments to encourage investment, Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of Fortescue Metals, said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary meeting of the International Energy Agency, Australian billionaire Forrest said the investment community needs a level-playing field and honest answers from political leaders on phasing out fossil fuels in order to invest.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 424ppm. As of 2026 it is 428ppm, but check here for daily measures. 

The broader context was that CCS has been around as a theoretical “solution” to climate change for fifty years, since Cesar Marchetti brain-farted it out at an IIASA conference.

The specific context was that Twiggy Forrest has been banging on about climate change for a little while now.

What I think we can learn from this is that CCS is a silly fantasy, but that’s all we have left now.

What happened next: Money kept getting thrown at CCS.

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

Also on this day: 

February 13, 1995 – Federal Environment Minister John Faulkner runs up the white flag on a carbon tax.

February 13, 2006 – Four Corners reveals the “Greenhouse Mafia”

 February 13, 2007- Industry is defo allowed to silence scientists…

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Carbon Capture and Storage United Kingdom

January 17, 2016 – CCS running out of steam?

Ten years ago, on this day, January 17th, 2016 the Financial Times reports on the aftermath of the Conservative government’s decision to pull funding (£1bn) for carbon capture and storage.

Scott, M. 2016. Carbon capture at risk of running out of steam. Financial Times, 17 January. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/91726a24-a4be-11e5-a91e-162b86790c58.html#ixzz3xVjZrV00

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was roughly 401ppm. As of 2025 it is 425ppm, but check here for daily measures. 

 The broader context was that carbon capture and storage had first been mooted in the late 1970s (and was regarded sceptically).  It had had a brief moment in the late 1980s, and then disappeared into the undergrowth.

The specific context was that after a failed first CCS competition (2007-2011) another one had been set up. Companies were to compete for a billion quid. Then, abruptly, Chancellor George Osborne killed that. 

What I think we can learn from this is that technologies go through ups and downs.  CCS is a proper roller-coaster. You can read all about it here. (Hudson, 2024)

What happened next

The CCS band-wagon had its wheels put back on, a new axle etc, between 2016 and 2018.  Enormous amounts of money are being spent.  CO2 savings? Not so much…

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

References

Xxx

Also on this day: 

January 17, 1970 – The Bulletin reprints crucial environment/climate article

January 17th – A religious perspective on climate action

January 17, 2001 – Enron engineers energy “blackouts” to gouge consumers

Categories
Australia Carbon Capture and Storage

December 27, 2010 – Queensland government withdraws ZeroGen CCS funding

Fifteen years ago, on this day, December 27th, 2010,

Queensland has axed its funding for a cutting-edge 530-MW power plant that was to run on gasified coal and store 90% of its greenhouse gas emissions underground through the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, just weeks after the project was short-listed to receive additional support from the Australian federal government, it was revealed at the weekend

Cooper, M. (2010) Queensland government withdraws ZeroGen CCS project funding 27 December Platts International Coal Report

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 390ppm. As of 2025, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was as per the post a few days ago, CCS had been an ongoing strand of technophilia in Australia, breaking through into public awareness in 2004.

The specific context was – Copenhagen had fallen over, the numbers weren’t adding up and everyone was pulling the plug.

What I think we can learn from this – these are literally pipe-dreams.

What happened next – the CCS soap opera continued, because our Lords and Masters have no other option. They couldn’t possibly question the hyperconsumerism they have foisted upon us all. We’re so fubarred.

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

Also on this day: 

December 27, 1989 – Greenhouse effect = “socialist hokum”

December 27, 2004 – ACF boss says “cough up” – All Our Yesterdays

December 27, 2009 – Art exhibition in Copenhagen saves the world

Categories
Australia Carbon Capture and Storage

December 23, 2010 – Can Australia afford CCS?

Fifteen years ago, on this day, December 23rd, 2010,

The world needs it, but strict budgets have forced Australia to scale back or cancel plans to advance the technology

BRISBANE, Australia — Environmental groups sounded the alarm when the government of the northeastern state of Queensland announced it would stop funding a zero-emissions power plant.

In those circles, rumors had been floating for weeks before the Dec. 19 decision that Queensland’s budget deficit-conscious premier and the coal companies were ready to pull the plug on the $4 billion ZeroGen plant.

Kirkland, J. 2010. Can Australia Afford Carbon Capture and Storage for Coal? Climatewire, December 23.

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 390ppm. As of 2025, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that from about 2004 Australian governments (federal and Queensland) had been bringing up CCS as a climate solution (god forbid we reduce emissions by, you know, leaving the coal and oil and gas in the ground and forging ahead with renewables).

The specific context was that for the the hype was hitting fever pitch.

What I think we can learn from this is that hype cycles are a thing.

What happened next – the plug got pulled on “Zerogen” days later. A separate failure of a CCS project, Gorgon, continues (failure at capturing and storing carbon – less of a failure at mitigation deterrence).

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

Also on this day: 

December 23, 1973 – Solar Patent issued

December 23, 2003 – Vestas opens Tasmanian wind turbine factory

December 23, 2009 – Kevin Rudd told to call double-dissolution #climate election… (spoiler – he didn’t)

Categories
Carbon Capture and Storage

November 20, 1991 – IEA CCS etc

Thirty four years ago, on this day, November 20th, 1991,

On 20th November 1991 a number of countries signed an agreement to take part in a programme of research and development aimed at potential mitigation techniques as a response to the issue of global warming. Formed under the aegis of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the programme brings together those countries interested in establishing the techniques, costs, and environmental consequences of removing CO2 from power station flue gases and storing or otherwise disposing it. 

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 355ppm. As of 2025, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that the IEA had been set up in the aftermath of the 1973 Oil Shock. It had held various relatively consequential meetings (it’s all relative) about climate change through the 1980s. 

The specific context was that now, with the Rio Earth Summit just around the corner, they were wanting to be an important institutional player in the climate technology game.

What I think we can learn from this – the institutions matter, in terms of where the funding comes from, where the hype from technology enthusiasts can go to get nurtured, given an imprimatur…

What happened next – through the 1990s, CCS kept bubbling under. By 1999-2000 it was beginning to break through. 

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

Also on this day: 

November 20, 1930 – the Fox is born!! 

November 20, 1973 – “Is the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Disintegrating?”

November 20, 1974 – BBC airs “The Weather Machine”

November 20, 1974 – “The Weather Machine” is broadcast – All Our Yesterdays

November 20, 1988 – Will Thatcher pick up the Green Gauntlet? (spoiler: no, no she won’t) – All Our Yesterdays

November 20, 2008 – Green capitalism flexes a (weak) BICEP

Categories
Australia Carbon Capture and Storage

November 16, 2009 – who is going to PAY for CCS? Well, you, obvs.

Sixteen years ago, on this day, November 16th, 2009,

A recently-released report by the World Coal Institute (WCI) on how to finance the experimental Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology for power stations, reminded me of a cartoon from years ago by the Australian cartoonist, Patrick Cook. In the cartoon, a huge bloated budgie (parakeet) with the letters “BHP” emblazoned on its chest, was holding a gun to its own head while proclaiming to a cowering politician, “Hand over the loot or the budgie gets it.” (At the time, BHP — which owned iron ore mines and steel mills — was haggling for government support for its ailing steel operations).

Burton. B. 2009. The Coal Industry Wants Your Cash to Save Them. PR Watch, 16 November.

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2009/11/8696/coal-industry-wants-your-cash-save-them

The amount of carbon dioxide in the air was 387ppm. As of 2025, when this post was published, it is 430ppm. This matters because the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more heat gets trapped. The more heat, the more extreme weather events. You can make it more complicated than that if you want, but really, it’s not. Fwiw, I have a tattoo of the Keeling Curve on my left forearm.

The broader context was that there had been a brief flurry of interest in CCS in 1989-1990, but then people had realised how much it would cost and moved on to other schemes.  By 2000 the bandwagon was rolling again, not quickly, but rolling. 

The specific context was 2009 is kind of peak-CCS, because the Global Financial Crisis then wrecked the EU’s proposed funding model for it.

What I think we can learn from this – the rich are not going to dip into their own pockets. They’re gonna use the state to do the R&D…

What happened next – CCS fell in a heap. Has since been propped up, a bit like “Weekend at Bernie’s”, frankly.

What do you think? Does this pass the ‘so what?’ threshold? Have I got facts wrong? Interpretation wrong? Please do comment on this post, unless you are a denialist, obvs.

Also on this day: 

November 16, 1982 – development aid and the greenhouse effect… – All Our Yesterdays

November 16, 1994 – Industry lobbyists trot out “sky will fall” argument against emissions cuts. Again. Of course. As ever.

November 16, 1995 – another skirmish in the IPCC war

November 16, 2021 – Chancellor cuddles up to oil bosses, of course.