Carbon dioxide emissions remain a significant cause of climate changes. In recent years technological development has made important steps towards providing ways to counter CO2 emissions. The Norwegian government believes that the carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) is part of the answer and ultimate solution to this problem. Thus, carbon capture and storage (CCS) constitutes a central part of the Norwegian government’s policy on energy and climate change.
The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum is a multilateral climate initiative which aims at fostering cooperation and information sharing across the globe to support the long-term goal of stabilising atmospheric CO2 levels. In September 2011, the forum meets for a high-level conference in Beijing, China. The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr Ola Borten Moe, is participating in this year’s high-level meeting. He is giving a presentation on the driving forces of R&D deployment, as well as chairing a round-table discussion.
Norway is in the forefront in terms of development of carbon capture and storage technology (CCS). The Norwegian government has set itself ambitious goals for its initiatives in this field. One of the cornerstones of this target area is the construction of a full-scale CO2 capture plant at the Mongstad refinery on the western coast of Norway. The Norwegian government is highly committed to developing a large scale capture plant at Mongstad, and will allocate extensive amounts to the planning and development of CCS in the coming years.
Stabilisation of atmospheric CO2 concentrations in this century is one of the long-term goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since carbon dioxide constitutes a major source of emissions, it is vital for the realisation of UNFCCC’s goals to achieve an early reduction and consistent decrease in CO2 emissions. Capture and storage of CO2 (CCS) has the potential of providing a vital contribution in this regard. Geologic storage at great depths is possible and preliminary findings indicate that the world's potential storage capacity is sufficient to hold all emissions for several centuries.
The CSLF has 25 member states which include both developed and developing countries and together they account for about 76 percent of all manmade carbon dioxide emissions. Members represent the world's largest blocs of economic activity, including the North America Free Trade Area, the European Union and the leading economies of Asia.