From the Rainforest to the Fjords: examining equity in carbon capture and storage climate policy

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is considered by some to be a critical climate change mitigation technology, and a key element in efforts to limit the global temperature increases in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Implementation of CCS in mitigation scenarios assumes that it provides cost-effective emission reductions, and/or can achieve negative emissions when combined with bioenergy. We conduct a comparative case study of Brazil and Norway, two countries that are leading efforts to accelerate the development and deployment of CCS, to assess how these countries justify their CCS policy choices with respect to equity concerns. The findings show that the current design of CCS mitigation technologies can lead to unjust outcomes, and fossil fuel lock-in. Nevertheless, CCS has uses that go beyond fossil fuel infrastructure, which can improve its climate change mitigation potential. When wrongly applied, CCS can delay climate change mitigation. Climate justice and equity considerations are key elements in policy design in order to overcome any adverse consequences of the use and governance of CCS technology.Brazil and Norway are front-runners in CCS policy efforts; however, some policies have served to prolong the lifetime of fossil fuel infrastructure rather than support climate change mitigation efforts.We showcase the importance of incorporating equity considerations into CCS deployment. Investing in CCS beyond fossil fuel infrastructure should be prioritized; both Brazil and Norway have opportunities to do this.For CCS projects linked to fossil fuel infrastructure, policy should incorporate clear exit strategies for phase-out. When wrongly applied, CCS can delay climate change mitigation. Climate justice and equity considerations are key elements in policy design in order to overcome any adverse consequences of the use and governance of CCS technology. Brazil and Norway are front-runners in CCS policy efforts; however, some policies have served to prolong the lifetime of fossil fuel infrastructure rather than support climate change mitigation efforts. We showcase the importance of incorporating equity considerations into CCS deployment. Investing in CCS beyond fossil fuel infrastructure should be prioritized; both Brazil and Norway have opportunities to do this. For CCS projects linked to fossil fuel infrastructure, policy should incorporate clear exit strategies for phase-out.