The ClimateTech Digital Year in Stories: October
Landmark CCS Funding a ‘Vital Lifeline’ for Decarbonisation
Countries around the world are ramping up efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, with initiatives aimed at reducing carbon output and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
The UK is no different, with its government throwing weight — and money — behind revolutionary technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce industrial emissions and its impact, supporting industries on their decarbonisation journeys.
In simple terms, CCS is a climate change technology that encompasses an integrated suite of technologies. When applied, said technologies have the ability to prevent large quantities of CO₂ from being released into the atmosphere, particularly from the use of fossil fuels.
This type of technology is not new, however. It has been in safe and commercial operation for more than 40 years, with its traction ramping up in recent years as the need to meet net-zero targets becomes increasingly pressing.
As part of its wider effort to achieve net-zero emissions, the UK Government has committed nearly £22bn (US$29bn) towards CCS projects.
These projects, based in Merseyside and Teesside — in the North West and North East respectively — aim to reduce carbon output from key industries to tackle climate change and its effects.
As part of a broader strategy, the investment reflects ongoing efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy while creating thousands of jobs. However, there are fears that these technologies could prolong reliance on fossil fuels.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said this injection of funding is “reigniting our industrial heartlands by investing in the industry of the future”, calling it a way to “kickstart growth”.
Is Space Technology the New Solution to Climate Change?
Space firms Earthwave, SpaceSolar and Thales Alenia Space explore sustainable energy solutions from beyond Earth.
Satellites orbiting Earth —more than 150 of them — are tracking vital signs of our planet. These sophisticated devices are crucial for monitoring global warming and keeping the world on track with the Paris Agreement.
Space-based technology is essential for observing key climate change indicators, including:
- Ocean temperatures
- Rising sea levels
- Deforestation
- Emission levels
- Natural disaster forecasts
Solar panels, which convert natural and artificial light into renewable energy, are a key solution for reducing greenhouse emissions.
Since they rely on light and are recyclable, they help improve air quality by eliminating harmful chemical processes and leaving a smaller carbon footprint.
Solar panels work by gathering light energy via a system of mirrors, which convert it into high-frequency radio waves.
These waves are transmitted to a receiver on Earth, where they generate electrical energy.
The idea of placing solar panels in space makes perfect sense. In orbit, they are much closer to the Sun, giving them access to an abundant and uninterrupted energy source.
This approach is both practical and incredibly powerful, providing a vast amount of sustainable energy far beyond the capacity of Earth-based methods.
SpaceX believes space technology could play a vital role in fighting climate change.
The company's cutting-edge designs in spacecraft, manufacturing and operations have dramatically reduced the cost of launches and accelerated space commercialisation.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, says: “Climate change is the biggest threat that humanity faces this century, except for AI. This view is shared by almost everyone who’s not crazy in the scientific community.”
Three more October highlights
Harnessing AI for Climate: IMB and NASA's Revolutionary Tool
How is Danone Eradicating Methane Emissions from its Dairy?
Google and Carbon Removal Start-Up Aim to Advance DAC
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