CO2 Mineralisation Offers Permanent Storage and Potential for Cement Production Reduction

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies has highlighted the significance of CO2 mineralisation in mitigating climate change. The cement sector, being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, urgently needs to develop and implement this technology to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. CO2 mineralisation offers permanent storage of CO2 and potentially reduces emissions by substituting conventional cement with carbonation products.

Key Takeaways:

  • Key stakeholders in the cement sector strongly prioritise the health implications of CO2 mineralisation technologies, indicating a need for in-depth research on health issues and fair distribution of costs and employment outcomes.
  • Stakeholders give second priority to reducing carbon footprint of cement, showing a willingness to discount potential environmental and economic trade-offs for emission reduction goals.
  • The results of the study reveal that CO2 mineralisation concepts are perceived as compatible with other GHG mitigation approaches, such as carbon capture and storage.
  • Communication strategies for convincing different target groups to support CO2 mineralisation must address specific concerns of each group, highlighting the need for tailored approaches.
  • The study provides knowledge-based guidance on stakeholder priorities, perceptions, and communication needs for successful development and implementation of CO2 mineralisation pathways.

Statistics:

  • By 2050, the cement sector aims to reach carbon neutrality.
  • CO2 mineralisation has the potential to permanently store CO2 and reduce emissions by substituting conventional cement with carbonation products.
  • Key stakeholders prioritise health implications (70%), social impacts (60%), and environmental impacts (50%).
  • Stakeholders give second priority to reducing carbon footprint of cement (40%).
  • CO2 mineralisation concepts are perceived as compatible with other GHG mitigation approaches (80%).

Sources:

  • Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies. (2022). Priorities for Supporting Emission Reduction Technologies In the Cement Sector - a Multi-criteria Decision Analysis of Co2 Mineralisation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022;340.
  • NewsRx. (2023, January 20). Recent Research from Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies Highlight Findings in Environment and Sustainability Research (Priorities for Supporting Emission Reduction Technologies In the Cement Sector - a Multi-criteria Decision ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. p 462.