(4a) Climate Change Science, the Climate Signal, and Responsive Actions within the Energy Industry to Capture and Sequester Carbon Dioxide

This paper will present a context for the technology discussion. The latest thinking on global climate change science will be summarized. This will include atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration data, global temperature measurements, radiative forcing as a metric, and also theories of amplifications and positive feedback loops. Next market indications of the likelihood of future GHG emission limits will be reviewed. These will include trading prices for GHG emissions reduction credits on the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and European Climate Exchange (ECX), two-party transactions for emissions reduction credits from geologic sequestration projects, and trends in the cost of insurance against climate-related damage. Finally we will highlight actions being taken within industry In North America to capture and sequester carbon dioxide. Key projects (including Weyburn and LaBarge) will be described in terms of technology choices, policy/regulatory drivers, economics, and the interactions among CO2 suppliers, transporters, and takers.