CCS within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Dr Luke Warren

Global CCS Institute Side Event

30th November 2011

Is CCS recognised under the UNFCCC?

Kyoto Protocol;

• Article 2.1 (a)(iv): Recognises “Carbon dioxide sequestration technologies” as a mitigation technology that promotes sustainable development

COP6;

• Annex I & II Parties cooperate in the development, diffusion and transfer of CCS, encourage their wider use and facilitate the participation of LDCs and other non-Annex I Parties

2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Inventories

• Parties have a number of obligations under UNFCCC & KP to report national GHG inventories – Utilise IPCC National GHG inventories

• Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), New Delhi, 2002, invited IPCC to revise 1996 Guidelines – Process: 3 years; 250 Experts; >14,000 comments; adopted at IPCC-25,

April 2006

– Includes new chapter on CCS (Volume 2, Chapter 5)

• IPCC considers the guidelines to: – “provide best, widely applicable default methodologies”

– Suitable for national GHG inventories and project-based estimates

• Provide the international framework for managing the selection and MRV of CO2 storage sites

CCS in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines • Utilises a Tier 3 plant-level reporting methodology • Tier 1 or 2 approach (emission factors) inappropriate

– Geological formations highly heterogeneous – Empirical data from monitored storage sites limited

IPCC approach to estimate and report emissions from storage sites:

• Consistent with 2005 IPCC Special Report on CCS • Basis for other international and regional CCS regulatory frameworks • Norway reports emissions from Sleipner and Snøhvit CCS projects using 2006

IPCC Guidelines

Site

Characterisation

Assess

Leakage Risk Monitoring Reporting

IPCC Conclusion “Tier 3 Methodology can be implemented so as to support not only zero emission estimates but also to detect leakage,

even at low levels, if it occurs”

CCS and developing countries

• CCS must be rapidly deployed in developing countries • Limited funding for CCS to date: <0.001 % climate finance to

CCS • International effort primarily on inclusion of CCS in CDM

CCS as CDM Project Activities

• Importance CCS CDM;

– Legitimises CCS as valid technology for developing countries • CCS also requires support from other mechanisms (i.e. NAMAs)

– Create incentives / signal for CCS in developing countries • Stimulate development of national regulations and capacity

• Could support low-cost CCS opportunities (i.e. gas processing)

• Part of the solution for power and higher cost industrial applications

– Establish precedence-setting regulatory framework for CCS can be utilised under other international funding mechanisms

CCS CDM timeline

CCS CDM next steps

• Draft CCS CDM Modalities & Procedures released – negotiated at COP17/CMP7, Durban

• Utilise existing CDM M&Ps as far as possible, plus – CCS specific additions; participation requirements,

validation and verification requirements – Technical criteria established for site selection, risk

assessment & monitoring – Financial provisions: including 5% CER reserve fund – Liability:

• Addresses local & climate liability • Buyer or Host Party options for climate liability

• CCS CDM M&Ps appear to provide a workable framework for the private sector to invest in CCS

• Will Parties find them acceptable?

Summary

• UNFCCC process has long-recognised the role of CCS in combating climate change

• IPCC 2006 Guidelines recognises the emission reductions from CCS project activities

• The adoption of CCS CDM M&Ps here in Durban would be a material positive development – Create incentive for CCS in developing countries

– Establish international regulatory framework