Why

Global warming is linked to greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO₂) resulting from human activity, in particular the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Rising temperatures induce large changes to climate and weather patterns and affect all living beings on the planet. It is one of the most serious challenges facing humanity today.

Increasing efforts are being made to bring down emissions by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. However, the efforts presently sanctioned by countries around the world is nowhere near sufficient to keep global warming below 2 degree C: the target set out in the Paris Agreement.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is profiled in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) “Net Zero by 2050” roadmap" as an important driver to reduce the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere. CCS technology can neutralise emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and from industrial sectors such as cement and steel works.

Norway is one of the leading countries in the field of CCS technology, and is a driver for large-scale deployment. With a history of successful CO₂ storage dating back to 1996, Norway’s success can be attributed to a combination of political will, technical expertise and a high-level focus on research and development.

The Geoscience department at the University of Oslo supported by UIO:Energy is at the for-front of this research, with heavy involvement in a number of national and international research consortium.

For more on Norway’s climate Change Targets (Climate Change Act; Lovdata).