Decarbonization: technologies and materials to reduce the global carbon footprint
The specialists of the Trend Analysis office have published the new report dedicated to decarbonisation, which offers an updated picture of the technologies linked to the reduction of CO2.
The Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh confirmed that the issue of climate change remains at the center of discussion and government commitments.
To limit global warming to 1.5°C it is necessary to reduce the annual emission of greenhouse gases rapidly, profoundly and constantly. By 2030, this reduction must be 43% less than the value produced in 2019, i.e. equal to the value produced in the early 1970s.
New technologies can significantly affect the amount of CO2 present in the atmosphere and can be applied in many sectors.
The possible methods of intervention can be summarized in two words: avoid introducing new CO2 and absorb the one present. But behind these two simple words complex and very innovative technologies are hidden.
Direct Air Capture with Storage (DACCS) are systems that capture gas directly from the atmosphere, while Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) are those that absorb the carbon dioxide produced in processes, such as Bio Energy Carbon Capture Storage (BECCS), which capture the gas produced during the conversion of biomass into energy.
The CCUS market will reach a turnover of $36.4 billion by 2030.
Avoiding introducing new CO2 into the atmosphere, on the other hand, involves an important step change in production methods, for example by increasing the production of green energy and making energy technologies more efficient
In this context, hydrogen can integrate perfectly with renewables as an energy storage and vector, to maintain electricity production in moments of discontinuity.
Producing new materials that are both stronger and lighter at the same time is also one of the most popular ways market players are trying to decarbonise.
In this context, end users also show an interest in replacing fossil-based products with bio-based plastics, as an excellent example of CO2 reduction by 'making new things'.
As we can imagine, the challenges are many, but the simultaneous industrial and financial effort can lead to great benefits, already in the short term.
