Goal 13

The debate on climate change has never been more relevant than in recent weeks. Goal 13 of the 2030 Agenda recalls many of the issues discussed at the recent climate conference in Glasgow.

If no action is taken, continued gas emissions are expected to increase the average temperature of the Earth's surface by 3 ° C this century. Climate change knows no borders and is therefore a global challenge; it is an issue that requires cooperation and coordinated solutions at the international level.
To reduce and contain the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there are essentially two ways of acting: the first is to reduce emissions; the second is to capture the carbon dioxide emitted to prevent it from remaining in the atmosphere. Considering that efforts to reduce emissions will not be sufficient to guarantee good results, many scientists now believe it is essential to invest in carbon capture technology. The current production system is so dependent on fossil fuels that a total conversion and immediate renewable energy seems impossible; the capture of carbon dioxide would make a smooth transition possible.

The carbon capture system provides that, once captured, carbon dioxide is stored underground, for example in emptied oil fields or in disused coal mines, or reintroduced in the production circuit. Today about 50 million tons of CO2 are sequestered and used; in 2030 it could reach 500 million tons. The major critical issues at the moment lie in the costs of capturing carbon dioxide: placing a CO2 trap on top of the chimney of an industrial plant is relatively easy and cheap; otherwise, when carbon dioxide is mixed with other gases, costs rise enormously and it requires energy, which in turn emits carbon dioxide.
Despite these criticalities, there are already over 20 plants in the world. These plants are almost all in the United States and Canada, while in Europe there are only two, both in Norway; the projects and studies for the construction of new plants in Europe are proceeding and it is hoped that in a short time their number will double.

It is certainly essential that each country do its part and think of policies that orient towards various interventions aimed at containing climate change, from renewable energies to carbon capture.
How does it decisively move those who hold a large part of the fate of the planet? A possible key is provided by a statement by Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission, at the Glasgow conference: "Think of a person you know who will still be alive in 2030. Think about what his existence will be like if we do not keep our promise today. to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees ". It should be a desire we all have, young and old: to leave the world better than how we found it.
Who knows if the hearts of the powerful will be able to be moved by these simple words?


Valentina Turinetto
NP December 2021