The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off
Non-technical summary When developing and deploying negative emissions technologies (NETs), little attention has been paid to where. On the one hand, one might develop NETs where they are likely to contribute most to global mitigation targets, contributing to a global climate solution. On the other...
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Cambridge University Press
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Global Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059479823000030/type/journal_article |
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| author | Kian Mintz-Woo |
| author_facet | Kian Mintz-Woo |
| author_sort | Kian Mintz-Woo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Non-technical summary
When developing and deploying negative emissions technologies (NETs), little attention has been paid to where. On the one hand, one might develop NETs where they are likely to contribute most to global mitigation targets, contributing to a global climate solution. On the other hand, one might develop NETs where they can help support development on a regional basis, justified by regional demands. I defend these arguments and suggest that they reflect the values of efficiency and responding to need, respectively. To the extent that these values conflict, they introduce what I call the Need-Efficiency Trade-off Effect (‘NET Effect’).
Technical summary
Unlike other geoengineering methods, the effectiveness of negative emissions technologies (NETs) tends to be sensitive to regional siting. This paper argues that this point raises morally and legally important implications by identifying a trade-off between ‘efficiency’ and ‘need’. First, it introduces two arguments justifying NETs: one focused on contributions to global mitigation and the other focused on contributions to regional development. Second, reflecting the two arguments, the paper discusses the moral values of efficiency and need, respectively. For instance, if the strategy is to try to use NETs to maximize expected mitigation contributions to reflect efficiency, then deployment should occur in regions with the best prospects for success (e.g. Western countries). However, if the strategy is to try to use NETs to improve the chances of simultaneous development and mitigation to respond to need, then deployment should occur in regions with limited development and expected growth of demand for NETs (e.g. Asian countries). When these values conflict, I call that a Need-Efficiency Trade-off Effect (‘NET Effect’). The paper concludes by considering the NET Effect in the context of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage as well as direct air carbon capture and storage.
Social media summary
Should negative emissions technologies be deployed in Western countries for most climate action or Asian where needed for development?
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3a52576de87a4cfdb49e9223a67cbdb1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2059-4798 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-3a52576de87a4cfdb49e9223a67cbdb12025-08-20T03:48:30ZengCambridge University PressGlobal Sustainability2059-47982023-01-01610.1017/sus.2023.3The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-offKian Mintz-Woo0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9216-9561Department of Philosophy, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Equity and Justice Group, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg, AustriaNon-technical summary When developing and deploying negative emissions technologies (NETs), little attention has been paid to where. On the one hand, one might develop NETs where they are likely to contribute most to global mitigation targets, contributing to a global climate solution. On the other hand, one might develop NETs where they can help support development on a regional basis, justified by regional demands. I defend these arguments and suggest that they reflect the values of efficiency and responding to need, respectively. To the extent that these values conflict, they introduce what I call the Need-Efficiency Trade-off Effect (‘NET Effect’). Technical summary Unlike other geoengineering methods, the effectiveness of negative emissions technologies (NETs) tends to be sensitive to regional siting. This paper argues that this point raises morally and legally important implications by identifying a trade-off between ‘efficiency’ and ‘need’. First, it introduces two arguments justifying NETs: one focused on contributions to global mitigation and the other focused on contributions to regional development. Second, reflecting the two arguments, the paper discusses the moral values of efficiency and need, respectively. For instance, if the strategy is to try to use NETs to maximize expected mitigation contributions to reflect efficiency, then deployment should occur in regions with the best prospects for success (e.g. Western countries). However, if the strategy is to try to use NETs to improve the chances of simultaneous development and mitigation to respond to need, then deployment should occur in regions with limited development and expected growth of demand for NETs (e.g. Asian countries). When these values conflict, I call that a Need-Efficiency Trade-off Effect (‘NET Effect’). The paper concludes by considering the NET Effect in the context of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage as well as direct air carbon capture and storage. Social media summary Should negative emissions technologies be deployed in Western countries for most climate action or Asian where needed for development? https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059479823000030/type/journal_articlebioenergy with carbon capture and storagecarbon capture and storagecarbon dioxide removalclimate ethicsclimate justicedirect air capturegeoengineeringnegative emissions technologies |
| spellingShingle | Kian Mintz-Woo The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off Global Sustainability bioenergy with carbon capture and storage carbon capture and storage carbon dioxide removal climate ethics climate justice direct air capture geoengineering negative emissions technologies |
| title | The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off |
| title_full | The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off |
| title_fullStr | The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off |
| title_full_unstemmed | The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off |
| title_short | The NET effect: negative emissions technologies and the need–efficiency trade-off |
| title_sort | net effect negative emissions technologies and the need efficiency trade off |
| topic | bioenergy with carbon capture and storage carbon capture and storage carbon dioxide removal climate ethics climate justice direct air capture geoengineering negative emissions technologies |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059479823000030/type/journal_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kianmintzwoo theneteffectnegativeemissionstechnologiesandtheneedefficiencytradeoff AT kianmintzwoo neteffectnegativeemissionstechnologiesandtheneedefficiencytradeoff |