1. The feasibility of low CO.sub.2 concentration targets and the role of bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
- Author
-
Azar, Christian, Lindgren, Kristian, Obersteiner, Michael, Riahi, Keywan, Vuuren, Detlef P., Elzen, K. Michel G. J., Mollersten, Kenneth, and Larson, Eric D.
- Subjects
Atmospheric carbon dioxide -- Environmental aspects ,Global temperature changes -- Research ,Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects ,Environmental impact analysis -- Methods ,Earth sciences - Abstract
Byline: Christian Azar (1), Kristian Lindgren (1), Michael Obersteiner (2), Keywan Riahi (2), Detlef P. Vuuren (3), K. Michel G. J. Elzen (3), Kenneth Mollersten (2), Eric D. Larson (4,5) Abstract: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC 1992) calls for stabilization of atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. We use three global energy system models to investigate the technological and economic attainability of meeting CO.sub.2 concentration targets below current levels. Our scenario studies reveal that while energy portfolios from a broad range of energy technologies are needed to attain low concentrations, negative emission technologies--e.g., biomass energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)--significantly enhances the possibility to meet low concentration targets (at around 350 ppm CO.sub.2). Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Goteborg, Sweden (2) International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), 2361, Laxenburg, Austria (3) Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, PO Box 303, 3729, AH Bilthoven, The Netherlands (4) Princeton Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Guyot Hall, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA (5) Climate Central, Inc., 1 Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ, 08542, USA Article History: Registration Date: 10/03/2010 Received Date: 28/12/2009 Accepted Date: 09/03/2010 Online Date: 20/05/2010
- Published
- 2010