Carbon Capture and Storage and the UNFCCC: Recommendations to Address Trans-Boundary Issues

Viviane  Romeiro; Virginia  Parente

doi:10.4236/lce.2012.323017

Viviane Romeiro^*, Virginia Parente

Abstract: This paper is mainly focused on the eligibility of trans-boundary Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) as a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project activity and it aims to explore a broad range of CCS transboundary issues whereby the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and national governments could take into consideration. Much work is still to be done by the CCS community (including the Institute) to ensure that the implementation of CCS under the CDM is both environmentally effective and commercially attractive. The recommendations focus on technical issues, with the aim of helping Parties evaluate a robust strategy for CCS as part of international negotiations and establish CCS best practice criteria for governments and the international process, thereby enhancing transparency and ensuring that CCS deployment is safe and effective. When considering CDM projects activities with a transboundary component, it is recommend that the rules of the main international treaties related to CCS be considered by the UNFCCC, especially the London Protocol guidelines for risk assessment and management and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Additionally, national governments should apply the rules and guidelines as delineated under the relevant existing international treaties and CCS national regulations.

Keywords: Carbon Capture and Storage; Clean Development Mechanism; Transboundary CCS

Cite this paper: V. Romeiro and V. Parente, "Carbon Capture and Storage and the UNFCCC: Recommendations to Address Trans-Boundary Issues," Low Carbon Economy, Vol. 3 No. 3, 2012, pp. 130-136. doi: 10.4236/lce.2012.323017.

References

[1] UNFCCC, “Modalities and Procedures for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in Geological Formations as Clean Development Mechanism Project Activities,” 2011. http://unfccc.int/files/meetings/durban_nov_2011/decisions/application/pdf/cmp7carbonstorage.pdf

[2] UNFCCC, “Technical Workshop on Modalities and Procedures for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in Geological Formations as Clean Development Mechanism Project Activities, 2011. http://unfccc.int/methods_and_science/other_methodological_issues/items/6144.php

[3] IPCC—Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, “Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage,” Special Report, In: B. Metz, O. Davidson, H. de Coninck, M. Loos and L. Meyer, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2005.

[4] UNFCCC, “Views Related to Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage in Geological Formations as a Possible Mitigation Technology. Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA 32),” 2010. unfccc.int/resource/docs/2010/sbsta/eng/misc02.pdf

[5] UNFCCC, “Modalities and Procedures for CCS in Geo logical Formations as Clean Development Mechanism Project Activities,” 2011. http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2011/sbsta/eng/inf07.pdf

[6] IMO, 2012. http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Environment/SpecialProgrammesAndInitiatives/Pages/London-Convention-and-Pro tocol.aspx

[7] “London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter,” 1972. http://www.londonconvention.org/documents/lc72/LC1972.pdf

[8] “UCL Carbon Capture Legal Programme CCS in the Clean Development Mechanism,” 2011. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cclp/ccsinCDM.php

[9] UNCLOS—United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982. http://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf

[10] “Basel Convention on the Control of Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal,” 1989. http://archive.basel.int/ratif/convention.htm

[11] “ESPOO Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in Transboundary Context,” 1991. http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/eia/documents/legaltexts/conventiontextenglish.pdf

[12] OSPAR, Commission Secretariat, 1992. http://www.ospar.org/welcome.asp?menu=0

[13] WRI, “Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage and the UNFCCC: Recommendations for Addressing Technical Issues,” 2011. http://www.wri.org/publication/carbon-dioxide-capture-and-storage-and-the-UNFCCC.

[14] IMO—International Maritime Organization, “Information on work on CCS in Sub-Seabed Geological Formation and Ocean Fertilization under the London Convention and London Protocol,” 2010. http://www.imo.org/OurWork/Environment/PollutionPrevention/AirPollution/Documents/COP%2016%20Submissions/IMO%20note%20on%20LC-LP%20matters.pdf

[15] IEA—International Energy Agency Model Framework, (2011). http://www.iea.org/ccs/legal/model_framework.pdf

[16] IEA, “Legal Aspects of Storing CO2: Update and Recommendationsm,” IEA, Paris, 2010.

[17] “London Protocol Adopts Amendment Allowing for Sub-seabed Carbon Dioxide Storage.” http://pdf.wri.org/css_06_12_08_london_protocol.pdf