Energy is the Achilles’ heel of carbon capture technologies

Humanity has a big problem. In 2015, the world signed up to the Paris agreement to limit warming to below 2°C to prevent the worst effects of climate change. To do that, net emissions would need to be halved by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. However, in nearly every sector we’re not making progress nearly fast enough to hit these targets. We’re on target for 2.4°C of warming already and the situation could still deteriorate further. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says carbon capture is a part of the puzzle when it comes to addressing the problem, but it’s easier said than done.