China Becoming a Global Leader in CCS

(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) CANBERRA, Australia, March 1 -- The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute issued the following news release: China must be commended for its impressive approach to tackling the climate change challenge, including through large-scale investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, according to Global CCS Institute Chairman Professor Paul Dougas.

Speaking at the opening of the Institute's new office in Beijing, Professor Dougas acknowledged the Chinese Government for embedding climate change policy in its industrial and economic development agenda.

"There is a limited period in which the world can deal with the climate change challenge, which threatens our economic, social and environmental wellbeing," Professor Dougas said. "I applaud China's approach to dealing with this incredibly difficult problem through a range of ambitious policies and actions, emissions reduction targets, and inclusion of CCS in the 12th Five-Year Plan." The Institute's CEO, Brad Page, said the decision to open an office in China reflected the important role the country was increasingly playing in combatting dangerous climate change through CCS technology.

"China has emerged as the recent fast mover in CCS," Mr Page said. "Indeed, it is establishing itself as a leader in CCS, accounting for more than half of all newly identified large-scale integrated projects [LSIPs] around the world in 2012.

"China now has 11 LSIPs in various stages of planning, as well as more pilot projects than in any other country. And, demonstrating both the technical and commercial viability of CCS, many of these smaller projects are already operating successfully." A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between China's Department of Climate Change, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Institute, signed a year ago, has opened the door for greater cooperation and significant progress on CCS. Collaborative projects, for example, have already included a capacity building workshop for stakeholders on storing carbon dioxide (CO2) and enhanced oil recovery, and public awareness activities.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to the NDRC for its strong support, which has also paved the way for a growing number of Institute Members from China," Mr Page said (refer to the attached list).

"A further important demonstration of increased cooperation is a new arrangement between the Institute and Yanchang Petroleum Group." Under an MoU signed at the opening ceremony, the Institute and Yanchang intend to cooperate on pilot and large-scale CCS demonstration projects in the coal-to-chemicals sector. The aim will be to: * increase technical and non-technical understanding of the application of CCS in the non-power sector, including regulations and permitting * increase understanding of CO2 storage and utilisation, and monitoring, measurement and verification within China's unique geology * enhance public awareness and acceptance of CCS technology development in China and globally * share and disseminate key learnings to help advance other projects around the world.

Mr Page said the opening of the new Beijing office signified a more regionally focused, globally connected approach by the Institute to its business.

"There is a lot of work still to be done, but based on the strong support we've received from the Chinese Government and industry to date, I am very optimistic about the future," he said.

TNS MT93 130303-4227910 61MarlizTagarum (c) 2013 Targeted News Service

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