Mitigating climate change necessitates the removal of two trillion tonnes of CO2. This colossal undertaking can only be accomplished through large-scale CO2 utilisation facilities capable of processing over a million tonnes of CO2 annually. Even with such facilities, halting global warming would require approximately 200,000 refineries operating for a century. However, if we can achieve an annual removal of 10 million tonnes or more per facility by 2050, the number of required facilities would be reduced to roughly 20,000. Currently, fewer than 1,000 large bio- and petro-refineries are in operation worldwide. Therefore, beyond 2050, additional technological breakthroughs will be needed to reduce the number of facilities to a few thousand. The CO2 utilisation pathway to 2100 can be divided into three stages: 2030 Target Technologies, 2050 Target Technologies, and 2100 Target Technologies. This presentation aims to inform policymakers, industry professionals, academics, and the general public about the potential uses and limitations of CO2 as a feedstock in relation to these three stages.

One potential solution is the commercial-scale utilisation of CO2 for 100% renewable products and low carbon fuels, which holds significant potential for creating new markets and industries that mitigate climate change. This approach can also support a circular bioeconomy and a future with net-zero emissions. However, there are obstacles to overcome, including technical feasibility, economic viability, environmental impact, and policy and regulatory frameworks. This presentation provides an overview of the technology and potential of CO2 utilisation, as well as the opportunities and challenges for its development and deployment in the immediate to long-term.

We will also discuss currently commercially viable fuels, chemicals, polymers, and construction materials, and propose future technological advancements. This information is intended to stimulate further discussion and action on this topic.