Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a method that uses plants to create energy and then captures and stores the carbon dioxide (CO2) made during this process. When plants are used for bioenergy, new plants can grow and take in CO2 from the air through photosynthesis. After the plants are collected, energy is made in forms like electricity, heat, or biofuels by burning, fermenting, or using other methods on the biomass.
Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a process where humans intentionally take carbon dioxide (CO₂) from Earth’s atmosphere and store it in places like underground areas, forests, oceans, or in products. This process is also called carbon removal, greenhouse gas removal, or negative emissions. CDR is increasingly being used in climate policies as part of plans to reduce climate change.
Direct air capture (DAC) is a process that uses chemical or physical methods to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the air around us. When the captured CO₂ is stored safely for a long time, the process is called direct air carbon capture and sequestration (DACCS), which helps reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere. Systems that do this are known as negative emissions technologies (NET).
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a method used to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from sources like factories or power plants before it enters the air. The CO₂ is then moved to a safe place underground for long-term storage. Most of the CO₂ captured each year is used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a process where CO₂ is injected into old oil wells to help extract more oil.
Wind-assisted propulsion is a method used to help commercial ships use less fuel by adding sails or other tools that capture wind energy. In the past, sails were the main way to move ships, but after steam engines and diesel engines were invented, sails were mostly used for fun sailing. Recently, because fuel prices have gone up and there is more focus on reducing pollution, there is growing interest in using wind power to move large ships again.
A hydrogen-powered ship is a boat that uses hydrogen as fuel, stored as gas or liquid. These ships move and power their systems using fuel cells or engines that burn hydrogen. The shipping industry is trying to reduce pollution, so hydrogen is being tested as a cleaner option compared to fuels like diesel or heavy fuel oil.
An LNG carrier is a special ship used to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG). These ships carry LNG at extremely cold temperatures, about -162°C (-260°F). They use special insulated containers, such as membrane or spherical tanks, to keep the gas in liquid form.
The environmental effects of shipping include air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, and oil pollution. Ships are responsible for more than 18% of nitrogen oxide pollution and 3% of greenhouse gas emissions. Although maritime transport is the most energy-efficient way to move large amounts of cargo over long distances, the large scale of the industry means it has a major impact on the environment.
Flight shame, or flygskam (Swedish), is a social movement that encourages people to avoid flying because air travel harms the environment. This harm includes large amounts of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change caused by humans. The movement began in Sweden and was promoted by climate activist Greta Thunberg.
An aviation biofuel, also called bio-jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), or bio-aviation fuel (BAF), is a type of fuel used to power airplanes. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sees it as a key way to reduce the environmental impact of flying. Aviation biofuel helps reduce carbon emissions from medium and long-haul flights, which produce the most pollution.