Abstract

Meeting organised by Cambridge Centre for Climate Science

Concentrations of greenhouse gases can potentially be limited by one the one hand reducing emissions through meeting energy needs from non-fossil-fuel sources and on the other by actively reducing concentrations, through greenhouse gas removal. Both approaches present significant technological challenges. This meeting brings together experts in the science of climate change and experts in the science that underpins promising technologies.

Myles Allen (Professor of Geosystem Science at University of Oxford) will speak about the recently recommended 1.5 degree C target and what measures will be necessary to reach it. Erwin Reisner (Professor of Energy and Sustainability at the University of Cambridge) will describe developments on sunlight-driven synthesis of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Corinne Le Quere FRS (Professor of Climate Change Science and Policy at University of East Angia) will discuss greenhouse gas removal including the findings of the recent Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering Report of which she was a co-author. Jerome Neufeld (Reader in Earth and Planetary Fluid Dynamics at the University of Cambridge) will describe prospects for carbon sequestration.

Programme:

1:30 to 2:15 Myles Allen (Oxford) The IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C: key findings and implications for carbon dioxide removal

2:15 to 3:00 Erwin Reisner (Cambridge) Sunlight-driven Synthesis of Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals

3:00 to 3:30 Coffee break

3:30 to 4:15 Corinne Le Quéré (East Anglia) Feasibility of Greenhouse Gas Removal to meet the Paris Climate Goals

4:15 to 5:00 Jerome Neufeld (Cambridge) The fluid dynamics of geological carbon storage

5:00 Refreshments and further discussion

If you are hoping to attend the meeting please can you sign up at https://goo.gl/forms/dzXl4D70NnBdMo1S2 to help us make catering arrangements. (This is definitely not required—but it would be very helpful.)

Further details

Myles Allen: The IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C: key findings and implications for carbon dioxide removal

Erwin Reisner: Sunlight-driven Synthesis of Sustainable Fuels and Chemicals

Abstract: A key societal challenge of our century is to secure and harness environmentally sustainable energy supplies. An attractive approach to this issue is the production of ‘solar fuels’ through a process known as artificial photosynthesis. This technology is inspired by natural photosynthesis and aims to use sunlight as the energy source to generate a renewable fuel such as hydrogen or ‘green gasoline’ from water and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Solar fuel synthesis thereby addresses important elements of the current energy challenge such as sustainability, security of supply and energy storage. This lecture will give an overview of the prospects of artificial photosynthesis and discuss some of the many fundamental science and engineering approaches that are currently being pursued on the road to a fossil-fuel free economy.

Corinne Le Quéré: Feasibility of Greenhouse Gas Removal to meet the Paris Climate Goals

Abstract: The Paris climate agreement aims to limit climate change well below two degrees Celsius and below. The emissions pathways that meet this goal have net zero CO2 emissions well before the end of the century. Whereas some sectors can meet zero emissions with known technologies, there are sectors where there are currently no available, practical, and/or affordable options (e.g. aviation, agriculture, some industries). The potential availability of Greenhouse Gas Removals technologies could, in theory, offset some of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise, hence providing additional (and potentially cheaper) pathways to reach net zero CO2 emissions globally. This presentation will provide an overview of a report on Greenhouse Gas Removal published in September 2018 by the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, and offer personal thoughts on the real-life blockages to deliver Greenhouse Gas Removals at scale.

Jerome Neufeld: The fluid dynamics of geological carbon storage.