Carbon capture needs to quadruple by 2050 to meet climate targets
ECONOMY & POLICY

Carbon capture needs to quadruple by 2050 to meet climate targets

According to a recent report from the University of Oxford, to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius by 2050, humanity must significantly increase carbon capture efforts, removing four times more CO2 from the atmosphere compared to current levels. This means capturing between seven and nine billion tonnes of CO2 by 2050, as outlined in the second edition of the report.

The report highlights the importance of both reducing emissions and removing CO2 from the atmosphere to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. While reducing emissions remains crucial, carbon removal is seen as a necessary complement. However, the expansion of CO2-absorbing forests, which currently accounts for 99% of carbon removal, could lead to conflicts over land use for agriculture and biofuels production. Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding the scalability of new technologies for CO2 removal.

The report also notes a slowdown in the development of carbon removal technologies due to political factors and insufficient funding. To address this, governments are urged to implement policies that support the growth of the carbon capture industry. Currently, the market for carbon capture is growing, driven by corporate demand for carbon credits. However, significant investment is needed to scale up carbon capture technologies, with funding sources remaining uncertain.

While carbon removal technologies offer potential solutions, they also present environmental risks and challenges. Some methods, such as direct air capture and carbon storage, have significant ecosystem risks, while others, like nature-based solutions, may offer co-benefits. Therefore, the report emphasises the importance of carefully balancing carbon removal efforts with emissions reduction measures to effectively address climate change.

(Source: ET Energy)

According to a recent report from the University of Oxford, to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius by 2050, humanity must significantly increase carbon capture efforts, removing four times more CO2 from the atmosphere compared to current levels. This means capturing between seven and nine billion tonnes of CO2 by 2050, as outlined in the second edition of the report. The report highlights the importance of both reducing emissions and removing CO2 from the atmosphere to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. While reducing emissions remains crucial, carbon removal is seen as a necessary complement. However, the expansion of CO2-absorbing forests, which currently accounts for 99% of carbon removal, could lead to conflicts over land use for agriculture and biofuels production. Additionally, there are uncertainties surrounding the scalability of new technologies for CO2 removal. The report also notes a slowdown in the development of carbon removal technologies due to political factors and insufficient funding. To address this, governments are urged to implement policies that support the growth of the carbon capture industry. Currently, the market for carbon capture is growing, driven by corporate demand for carbon credits. However, significant investment is needed to scale up carbon capture technologies, with funding sources remaining uncertain. While carbon removal technologies offer potential solutions, they also present environmental risks and challenges. Some methods, such as direct air capture and carbon storage, have significant ecosystem risks, while others, like nature-based solutions, may offer co-benefits. Therefore, the report emphasises the importance of carefully balancing carbon removal efforts with emissions reduction measures to effectively address climate change. (Source: ET Energy)

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?