In the quest to mitigate climate change, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has emerged as a promising strategy, but a new study suggests that the methods used to assess its environmental benefits may need a significant overhaul. The research, led by Evelina Nyqvist from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and published in the journal “Cleaner Environmental Systems,” reviewed 106 life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of CCU systems, revealing a concerning lack of clarity and consistency in how these assessments are conducted and reported.
Life cycle assessments are crucial tools for understanding the environmental impact of CCU technologies, which capture carbon dioxide emissions and convert them into useful products. However, Nyqvist’s study found that half of the reviewed LCA studies did not clearly state their goals, making it difficult to understand the purpose and context of the assessments. “Those who stated a goal seldom explained the purpose of the assessment,” Nyqvist noted, highlighting a critical gap in the current research landscape.
The diversity in LCA studies was evident, with researchers examining a wide range of CCU products derived from various sources of carbon dioxide and spanning different industrial scopes. While 47 studies reported a reduced climate change impact and 27 claimed a negative impact, the lack of clear goals and methodological transparency raises questions about the reliability and comparability of these findings.
One of the key issues identified in the study is the need for LCA methodologies to better reflect the purposes of the assessments. This includes considering the time aspects of when and for how long carbon is retained by the studied CCU systems and products. “For more understandable LCA studies of CCU systems, the modelling needs to reflect the purposes of the assessments,” Nyqvist emphasized. This means that future LCA studies should provide a clearer picture of the long-term benefits of CCU technologies, which is essential for stakeholders in the energy sector making informed decisions.
The study also calls for improvements in the reporting of LCA studies and the guidelines governing these assessments. Specifically, there is a need for better reporting of the goal and how the goal definition phase is connected to the methodological decisions in the LCA study. This transparency is crucial for ensuring that the results of LCA studies are reliable and can be trusted by policymakers, investors, and industry leaders.
The implications of this research are significant for the energy sector. As companies and governments increasingly turn to CCU technologies to meet their climate goals, the need for robust and transparent LCA studies becomes ever more critical. Clearer and more consistent methodologies will not only enhance the credibility of CCU technologies but also facilitate better decision-making and investment in these technologies.
Nyqvist’s study serves as a wake-up call for the scientific community to improve the quality and transparency of LCA studies. By addressing these gaps, researchers can provide more reliable assessments of the environmental benefits of CCU technologies, ultimately supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights from this research will be invaluable in shaping the future of carbon capture and utilization technologies.