The enthusiasm for the elimination of CO₂ can slow down climate protection measures

The erroneous representation of the potential of innovative carbon dioxide innovative technologies. Nevertheless, such as direct capture in air (DAC) does not only waste investment, it presents the risk of upsetting decarbonization efforts worldwide, according to the researcher in climate science James Kerry. Therefore, – Enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow

All the indicators of climate change of human origin, including the concentrations of greenhouse gas and record global temperatures, continue to climbExternal linkeven though the carbon dioxide level (Co₂) that we can still emit while remaining below the 1.5 enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow degree threshold continues to drop to an alarming speed. Furthermore, Although we are not on the right track to solve the problem. Therefore, the path that would allow us to solve it 90% stands before us, if we choose to take it. For example. However, the G20 countries which are responsible for the issue of 87% of all CO emissions₂ energy linked could produce enough renewable energiesExternal link for the whole world by 2050.

In the roadmaps to reach zero net emission. Therefore, which means ceases to emit more greenhouse gas that is absorbed, carbon dioxide extraction technologies are supposed to play an important role. Meanwhile, This implies tackling the cumulative emissions (pollution which continues to warm the planet) and so -called incompressible emissions. For example, In reality, a large part of the programs deemed to be incompressible are actually expensive to eradicate. For example. Nevertheless, all high temperature enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow heating processes used in heavy industry could be operated on thanks to electricity, except that so far, burning fossil fuels is less expensive.

The problem was underlined in a recent gallery on Swissinfo.ch by Cyril Brunner: “Today, in many sectors, we pay nothing or almost nothing when we emout₂». However, As long as the real cost of the CO show₂ It will remain ignored. Therefore, many industries will continue to pretend that their emissions are “incompressible”. For example, To ensure its success. However, decarbonation must walk at the carrot and stick, in particular a rapid investment in low -consumption solutions, energies and renewable storage, an intelligent electrical network and the electrification of all that is possible. In addition, By combining this with a carbon price that was not based on the energy markets. Similarly, but on its true social and planetary cost: the damage it causes to health, ecosystems, food enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow chain, and future generations.

If we are based on current decarbonation efforts, Dr. Consequently, Brunner is right when he says that “the quantity of CO₂ that must be eliminated is monumental “. but it is wrong to suggest that carbon extraction technologies such as capturing in the air (DAC), which filters the CO₂ Air, can meet this need. To date. the DAC industry has captured nearly 10,000 tonnes of CO₂which is the equivalent of nine seconds of world annual emissions, less time it took you to read this sentence. To reach relevant capturing thresholds for climate. industry should be developed, in a few decades, to an unprecedented order of magnitude in industrial history.

DAC technology also faces inevitable, fundamentals, which will not be resolved by trial and error. Within the atmosphere. the CO₂ Always occupies a minimal part, which means that it is necessary to deal with large amounts of enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow air. This consumes a lot of energy. which should not emanate from fossil fuels if we want this process to have the slightest sense from a climate point of view. And the dac alone does not eliminate the CO₂; The captured gas must still be compressed, transported, and injected underground. This second phase has also proven to be disappointingExternal link. full of risks, which range from potential flight to the triggering of seismic activityExternal linkgoing to the earthquake.

Contrary to what we claim, it is not the funding that is at stake here. DAC companies may not be very good when it comes to sucking carbon dioxide. they prove to be much more gifted when it comes to capturing investorsExternal link. The company based in Switzerland Climeworks is a good example. They have affected nearly $ 800 million in funding since the start of their activity 16 enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow years ago. and they did not even manage to recap enough carbon to compensate for their own annual emissionsExternal link. But the debates on the amount necessary for the financing of carbon capture technologies miss the real subject: the excessive promises of technologies such as the DAC pose real risks. both because they contradict current decarbonation efforts and they arouse plans on the comet to reach zero net emissions.

The early sale of carbon credits is one of the ways for these companies to arouse false hopes which can undermine the real climate action. by offering those who acquire it a sex cover so that they continue their unbridled emissions. Microsoft. SAP, Morgan Stanley and Tik Tok, for example, all bought DAC credits while their emissions, which are far from incompressible, continue to increase.

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“To achieve our objective of decarbonation by 2050. we need 1000 large power plants!”

This content was published on May 12. 2025 The Swiss start-up Climeworks aims to eliminate 2.5 % of world CO2 per year by 2050.

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Perhaps even more pernicious are the links between the fossil fuel industry. petro-strokes and carbon capture companies, especially in the DAC sector. The CEO of Western Petroleum described the DAC as a way of providing “our industry a permit to continue our activities for enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow the next 60. 70, 80 years”. Western bought the American DAC Carbon Engineering company in 2023. while continuing its oil and gas activities as well as its lobbying against stricter regulations. Given the failure of a significant expansion of the DAC. these acquisitions can constitute an exit door for other companies, including ClimeWorks.

The deterrence of attenuation refers to the fear that the integration of innovative methods of extraction of carbon dioxide in policies. climatic industries will compromise or delay decarbonation efforts. This may be difficult to demonstrate. there are already clear and immediate signsExternal linkand many actors, from countries to municipal councilsExternal linkalready make important shares of their zero net broadcasting objectives on carbon extractions which may never be implemented. Distinct objectives for the reduction of emissions. the absorption of carbonExternal link could limit the risk of deterrentization of attenuation, but do not eliminate the risk enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow that these overestimated technologies distort priorities, to the point of leading to catastrophic political errors.

Among these approaches, the craze for the DAC begins to come up against reality. All objective assessments show that it is not a climatic neither serious nor extensible. and perhaps behind the scenes, we arrive at this same conclusion at Climeworks. Last year. the company began to diversify its range to include other carbon extraction techniques, such as biochar and increased meteorization, probably because the DAC does not provide the expected results.

In the meantime. we are burning the rest of our global carbon footprint and staggering to possibly irreversible climatic rocking points, even if valid and safe technologies of carbon ending one day emerging. Having reached this stage should motivate us to decarbonize much more urgently than what we do today. because the facts are clear: the progressive elimination of fossil fuels, as quickly enthusiasm elimination co₂ can slow and completely as possible, is our only chance to really stop the climate crisis.

Text translated from English by Pauline Grand d’Esnon/op

The opinions expressed in this article are only those of the author. do not necessarily reflect the position of Swissinfo.