Source: Hydrogen’s Hidden Emissions | Global Witness
Shell’s fossil hydrogen plant in Canada found to be emitting more climate-wrecking gases than it is capturing
In just a few years, hydrogen has shot into mainstream conversations about tackling the climate crisis. It is now one of the most hotly discussed energy topics, and a very particular form of hydrogen known as fossil hydrogen (or ‘blue hydrogen’) is being pushed by the fossil fuel industry for government backing.
They claim it is climate friendly and can help with efforts to decarbonise our energy system, as it involves the use of carbon capture technology to trap and store emissions. One of the very few plants of this type, “Quest” is owned by Shell in Alberta, Canada.DOWNLOADS
Shell have boasted about the project as an example of how it is tackling global heating, claiming that the project demonstrates that carbon capture systems are “safe and effective” and is a “thriving example” of how this technology can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
But our new research reveals that Quest is in fact emitting more than it is capturing. Despite having captured 5 million tonnes of carbon across a five-year period, it has emitted a further 7.5 million tonnes of climate polluting gases during the same time. Each year, Shell’s plant has the same carbon footprint as 1.2 million petrol cars.
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