Open call for evidence and inputs to the EASAC study of carbon capture and storage

Open call for evidence and inputs to the EASAC study of carbon capture and storage

The European Academies Science Advisory Council (<link http: www.easac.eu>www.easac.eu) is currently undertaking a study of the challenges and prospects for carbon capture and storage in Europe. We would very much value your input in order to ensure that we take account of as wide a range of views and information as possible.

Key questions that we are addressing, on which your views and evidence would be particularly welcome are as follows:

1.      How can the cost and efficiency penalties of CO₂ capture be substantially reduced through advanced technologies and new CCS pathways, and consequently what further research, development and demonstration is needed?

2.      What levels of confidence in the long-term storage of CO₂ can realistically be achieved, and how they can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of regulators and the public? Hence, what further developments are needed in the science and in monitoring techniques to support decision making processes and to inform public opinion?

3.      What could be the relative role of proposed alternative approaches to carbon sequestration such as "biochar" and mineral carbonation?

4.      What contribution can carbon capture and storage realistically make to achieving Europe's climate change mitigation targets over the period to 2050?

Please send your inputs to the Secretary of the working group, Dr John Holmes (john.holmes@easac.eu), by the end of March 2012. Also, please let Dr Holmes know if you think there are other individuals and organisations who might usefully contribute to our study.