Global Ccs Institute Receives Us Grant For Activities In Developing Countries

U.S. Department of State Funds the Global CCS Institute for Capacity Development and Knowledge Sharing Targeting Developing Countries

CANBERRA, 9 October, 2010 The Global CCS Institute has been granted US$500,000 by the U.S. Department of State to share knowledge and expertise in support of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in developing countries, recognising the significant role that CCS can play in reducing the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

This is the first time that the Institute receives funding from a source other than the Australian Government, which founded the Institute and so far has been its sole funder.

"Currently most CCS projects are being progressed in developed rather than developing economies. There is therefore a strong need to work with developing countries in taking forward CCS as a viable CO2 mitigation technology," said Nick Otter, CEO of the Institute. "This cooperative action will allow us to meet this objective."

By 2050, some 3400 CCS projects need to be operational in order to reduce emissions by the required level, according to the International Energy Agency. More than half of these projects will need to be in developing countries.

The Global CCS Institute, as leading advocate for the technology, is supporting the acceleration of CCS deployment by sharing knowledge across projects. The transfer of know-how between developed and developing nations is a key area of focus.

U.S. Government policy advances carbon capture and storage technology as an important means for helping to put the world on a path toward sustainable economic growth.

"The U.S. State Department's grant to the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute will let the Institute help deploy CCS technologies in developing countries and help them access affordable energy," said U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich. "The U.S. is committed to advancing CCS technologies to the point where 8 to 10 years from now these systems will be affordable and deployed worldwide."

The Institute will use the U.S. funding to accelerate a number of initiatives that it is undertaking through the Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture Use and Storage Action Group. This includes mapping and assessment of capacity for CO2 storage in developing countries; a study on CO2 reuse; sharing of best practice and experience with financial support mechanisms and policies; and case studies on creating the best enabling environment for CCS deployment, among others.

"We are very pleased for the State Department's recognition of our role in this important work," said Otter. "It is a significant contribution towards the acceleration of global CCS deployment."

For further information please contact:
Kristina Stefanova
Media Manager
P +61 (0)2 6175 5357
M +61 (0)407 004 037
E [email protected]


About the Global CCS Institute


The Global CCS Institute, funded by the Australian government, works with organisations and governments to accelerate the broad deployment of commercial CCS and ensure that the technology plays a role in responding to the world's need for a low carbon energy future. The interim goal of the Institute is to accelerate the development of 20 commercial-scale integrated demonstration projects by 2020.

The Institute plays a key role in knowledge sharing across demonstration projects and is working on enabling the regulatory and policy as well as commercial and financial conditions for CCS to be deployed commercially around the world. It has more than 260 members, including the United States government.

More information is available at www.globalccsinstitute.com.

SOURCE: Global CCS Institute