In 1992 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed. This contributed to an increased focus on emissions of the climate gas CO₂. Today 35% of global CO₂ emissions come from power and heat production [IEA 2005]. To reduce some of the world's emissions, one can capture CO₂ from thermal power generation and deposit it in suitable underground structures.

Several studies on how to reduce global warming have been completed in the last decade. Reduction of CO₂ emissions is one of the essential measures in all of these reports. There has also been a trend towards tougher emissions targets, with targets for up to 85% reduction in emissions by 2050.

In almost all of these reports, CCS is recognised as an essential technology to reduce global warming. It is now accepted as a solution for the short- to medium-term (0-100 years). In the long term, renewable energy sources will have to dominate. But it will take a long time to convert the world's energy systems; in the meantime, fossil fuels will continue to be used. To reduce the impact of these fuels on the climate, CCS is essential.

Read more at:

http://www.ipcc.ch/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

http://www.unep.org/climatechange/

http://www.cicero.uio.no/home/index_e.aspx