Op-Ed Contributors

Tie-up in carbon use technology

By Wan Gang (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-17 07:52

Climate change, as a development issue which has severe impacts on the economic and social development of the developing countries, needs a package of solutions to address. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, as an emerging technology with large-scale emission-reducing potential, has got more and more concern from the international community.

The Chinese government has done a lot with regards to improving energy efficiency, developing new energies and reducing emission. China has also conducted CCS research and million-ton level demonstration projects. For example, Huaneng Corporation has conducted a project in its Gaobeidian Power Plant in Beijing. It aims to capture 30,000 tons of CO2 and use it for the food industry. That project has been progressing well. Another project which captures 100,000 tons of CO2 for food industry application will start soon in its Shidongkou Power Plant in Shanghai. China National Petroleum Corporation succeeded in its pilot test of increasing oil recovery by injecting 300-400 tons of CO2 daily in Jilin oilfield. It is planned that by 2015 it will have sequestered 1.2 million tons of CO2 and improved crude oil by 1 million tons. Shenhua Group has conducted designing for a 100,000 ton-level carbon capture project of its coal liquefaction program in Ordos.

On a worldwide basis, CCS technology is still in its R&D stage, and several problems concerning its development and large-scale application should be addressed. First, application cost should be reduced. Second, energy consumption during CCS process should be reduced. Third, research on comparative benefits of CCS and other climate friendly technologies should be enhanced. Fourth, safety assessment should be emphasized.

At least for the present, we have to facilitate in-depth research, development, demonstration and application in order to solve the aforementioned four problems. Therefore, to enhance cooperation and co-development of CCS, we wish to put forward the following three principles.

First, the objective laws for emerging technologies should be highlighted. We should carry out research in both carbon capture and resourceful utilization and CCS, which should be regarded as equally important.

Second, the role of governments in planning, coordination and guidance should be given a full play with regards to CCS as a major technology for public benefits. Governments should support R&D, and attach importance to IPR protection. We suggest that enterprises, research institutes and universities of developing countries be invited to participate in demonstration projects of developed countries.

Third, we suggest that part of the 20 demonstration projects proposed by G8 be conducted in developing countries and that government financial support be offered. With that help, developing countries can have an access to CCS technology at an early date.

Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) has done a lot in CCS technology cooperation. We stand ready to further intensify technological cooperation under the framework of CSLF. Hereby, I would like to put forward two proposals on the mechanism and content of future CSLF cooperation:

First, as CCS technology is still not mature, we should put our priority and emphasis on stepping up technological development and cooperation. Only the bottlenecks of this technology are settled, other issues such as relevant financing and risk control can be readily solved.

Second, we shall pay attention to research and development of new methods and technologies for intensifying the use of CO2 as resource. Waste is resource left at a wrong place. That should be our attitude towards CO2. We should by no means simply treat CO2 as end-of-pipe waste.

At the recent UN climate change summit, President Hu Jintao announced that China will cut CO2 emission per unit of GDP by a notable margin by 2020 from the 2005 level. He called for the international community to fulfill respective responsibilities, achieve mutual benefits and a win-win outcome, promote common development, and ensure financing and technology.

Global climate change is a major challenge for the long-term existence and development of the mankind. Before becoming the minister, I was president of Tongji University. I used to meet many young people on the campus. I often feel regret when I am facing the young people because this and the last generations have consumed a huge amount of fossil energy and left too much CO2 for the future generations. In that light, we must make full use of CO2 we have produced as resource, and do our best for our descendents to reduce the burden of CO2. With a strong sense of responsibility for the future generations, we should boldly shoulder our due responsibility, draw on our common wisdom, make our utmost efforts, and take concrete actions to address climate change. In doing so, we can work together for a sustainable and promising future for our children.

Dr Wan Gang is Minister of Science and Technology. The article is based on his speech made at the CSLF Third Ministerial Meeting held in London last month.

(China Daily 11/17/2009 page8)