Carbon capture: an answer to net zero pledges or continued fossil fuel usage?

On the 4th of October, Prime Minister Kier Sarmer announced that £22bn was going towards climate funding, specifically into carbon capture and storage. With the UK closing its last coal power station, making it the first G7 nation to phase out coal completely, the UK is looking to win another race on the energy front. But what is carbon capture? Is it the golden opportunity Kier Starmers Labour Party is making it out to be, or is it simply a scapegoat for oil and gas companies?

In its simplest form, carbon capture and storage is when you take the CO2 emissions directly from a power station or factory and transport them to a unit via pipes or ships to a location where they are typically stored by being injected into porous rocks deep underground. 

The UK government has cited that carbon capture is necessary for Britain to reach its climate targets set by the secretary of state, Ed Milliband. This is because carbon capture will greatly help reduce the CO2 emissions escaping into the atmosphere in heavy industrial operations like cement and glass making. This isn’t even to mention the 2,000 skilled jobs it would create and the foreseeable private investments spoken about by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In addition, Starmer mentioned that on a large scale, it could create 50,000 jobs in the future.

So, in the government’s eyes, carbon capture is ideal for the UK as it provides more skill-based jobs while helping reach its COP pledges. Furthermore, the UK is at a prime spot geologically to provide storage for carbon as the UK’s continental shelf holds ⅓ of all the exploitable carbon storage space in Europe. Including access to the North, North Atlantic and Irish seas, as well as the English Channel. Insinuating that the UK’s economy could thrive if carbon capture and storage is introduced not just in the UK but globally, as it could become a hub for storage. 

While this sounds promising, there are some large concerns over using carbon capture and storage on a large scale. The general public and climate scientists worry that oil and gas companies recently urged governments to introduce carbon capture. It’s believed that carbon capture will still allow companies to keep using fossil fuels as it doesn’t equate to green or renewable energies. This implies that these large corporations can continue to exploit fossil fuels, depleting the already finite resources and further damaging the planet. Therefore making it harder to reach our net-zero targets. 

Studies into carbon capture have shown that it is not 100% effective at removing all the carbon. While the technology boasts the claim to remove 90% or more, scientists have found that it only removes around 70%. Moreover, climate scientists instead believe that the UK should be introducing cleaner, green, renewable energy sources like solar and wind instead of allowing the continued use of carbon via the vastly more expensive practice of carbon capture.

Overall, carbon capture and storage seems like a good idea on the surface for British people as it will advance the economy, create new jobs and seemingly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Simply looking deeper into the technology shows us that it won’t help the future of our planet, allowing elevated fossil fuel exploitation. Therefore, contributing to our rising sea levels and global temperature by allowing big companies to offset their carbon production without any real sustainable practice taking place.         

Leeds Dwindling Nightlight – a Good or a Bad Thing?

With Leeds’ renowned bustling nightlife, students spill out onto the streets every
night in search of the best spots for cheap drinks and great music. However, it’s hard
to ignore the signs that the future of Leeds’ nightlife may be at risk. Is the city’s bar
and club scene starting to dwindle?

The recent closure of Walkabout has left both long-term fans and newer students in
shock. Once a place where the sounds of students enjoying their night filled the air, it
now stands silent, marking a significant change in the nightlife landscape. It seems
that, perhaps the bar and club scene in Leeds may indeed be starting to fade.

However, to which extend is that actually a negative thing? Is this affecting the
overall experience and culture of university life or is it simply encouraging students to
socialise in new ways and through different activities?

It appears that more and more students are starting to shift their preferences towards
daytime activities, alcohol-free events, or smaller, more intimate gatherings. Is
internet culture promoting slow living, and subtler activities? From cosy intimate
dinners and painting sessions to coffee dates and walks at the park, it is safe to say
that students are finding new ways to enjoy student life without the need for nightlife
and alcohol.

As these changes unfold, it’s clear that the nightlife scene in Leeds is evolving. This
transformation could lead to a more diverse social landscape, where students create
deeper connections in various settings, ultimately enriching their university
experience in ways that extend beyond traditional nightlife norms and expectations.

Words by Aria Aristotelous

Cover Image Credit: Divya Thakur via Flickr