Understanding the Potential of CO2 Utilisation

CO2 utilisation processes can convert CO2 into commercially viable products such as fine chemicals, polymers, fertilisers, minerals and fuels via a range of chemical and biological pathways. Carbon is ubiquitous within the chemical and construction industry however sustainability issues arise with fossil sources. CO2 has potential to be a sustainable and circular source of carbon if certain barriers are overcome. Assessment of the potential of CO2 utilisation is complex and must address the three pillars of sustainability – environment, economics and society. Herewith, each aspect is discussed and elucidated. A framework to encourage the integration of environmental and economic assessment is presented to tackle the challenge of conflicting conclusions from individual assessments. This is further developed in to a triple helix approach by the addition of social impact assessment. This approach enhances effective decision making for development and deployment by enabling tradeoffs between environmental, economic and social impacts to be explored. The challenges and opportunities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered. Barriers to the general success of SMEs are identified in the fields of policy/regulation, life cycle analysis studies, financial knowledge, and external links. Communication of CO2 utilisation technologies is investigated as it is known public awareness of CO2 utilisation is low and is key to successful deployment. Guidelines for communication and the first CO2 utilisation App presented. Significant increases in knowledge of CO2-derived products were observed after use of the App. Within the focus groups the App was highly rated for learning, ease of use, learning and enjoyment, confirming it as fit for purpose as a tool to communicate CO2 utilisation opportunities. CO2 utilisation has many facets which are interwoven and require unlocking for its potential to be realised. This works seeks to expound these facets to increase understanding in unlocking that potential.