“Stockholm’s Ambitious Carbon Capture Plan: A Risky Strategy Without Sufficient Debate”
The Swedish capital Stockholm is taking bold steps towards capturing more carbon dioxide than it emits by 2030, with the city investing in new technology at a combined heat and power plant. However, researchers at Linköping University in Sweden are raising concerns about the lack of discussion surrounding the risks associated with this strategy.
According to Alexander Olsson, a researcher at the Department of Thematic Studies — Environmental Change at Linköping University, Stockholm’s ambitious climate policy has led to a reliance on new technology without critical evaluation. The energy utility Stockholm Exergi is investing in technology to capture carbon dioxide from the Värtaverket plant, with the potential to remove 800,000 tons per year and store it in the bedrock. This would result in negative emissions, offsetting other emissions that are difficult to eliminate.
Olsson and his colleagues have interviewed politicians and officials in Stockholm and analyzed debates in the municipal council to understand the decision-making process. They found a lack of questioning and alternative plans, with Stockholm’s climate targets heavily reliant on the success of carbon capture at Värtaverket.
The researchers highlight uncertainties surrounding the technology’s effectiveness, transportation, and disposal of carbon dioxide, as well as environmental risks associated with interim storage at Värtahamnen. They suggest setting separate targets for carbon capture and emissions reduction from waste incineration and traffic, along with a risk analysis to identify alternative methods.
Olsson emphasizes the importance of criticism and broader debate in the decision-making process, stating that decisions will be improved with a more thorough evaluation of risks and alternatives. The study was funded by the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas, shedding light on the need for a more comprehensive approach to carbon capture in Stockholm.