Is There Enough Carbon Storage To Solve Climate Change?

Core Insights - The recent study published in Nature highlights a prudent limit of approximately 1,460 billion tonnes of CO₂ for geological storage, challenging previous estimates of 10–40 trillion tonnes [2][3] - The study emphasizes that carbon storage should be viewed as a scarce resource that requires careful budgeting and prioritization for high-value uses [3][7] - The current infrastructure for carbon capture is insufficient, with only about 50 million tonnes of CO₂ stored annually, far below the required levels for climate goals [4][5] Group 1: Storage Capacity and Limitations - The study reframes carbon storage as a limited resource rather than an unlimited option, necessitating prioritization towards hard-to-abate industries [3][7] - The real constraint is not the geological capacity but the speed of infrastructure development, with current projects only achieving a fraction of what is needed [4][5] - To achieve net-zero CO₂ by 2050, the global injection rate must reach approximately 8.7 billion tonnes per year, requiring a significant increase in operational storage sites [5][6] Group 2: Strategic Recommendations - Leaders should treat carbon storage as a scarce public good and explicitly budget it in national climate plans [8] - There is a need to build shared transport and storage hubs to facilitate interconnection, as many projects fail due to lack of infrastructure [8] - Financial support should be directed towards regions with robust storage capabilities to assist those lacking access, ensuring equitable distribution of resources [8]