Status of CCS technology in Japan and Brazil: a comparative analysis

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the technology status of CCS (carbon capture and storage) in Japan and Brazil. Japan’s GHG (greenhouse Gas) emissions are declining while Brazil’s are increasing. Among ESTs (environmentally sound technologies) the potential of GHG mitigation of CCS has gained prominence. The research identifies the main activities and positions of the actors involved in CCS technology implementation in Japan and Brazil, and contrasts and compares reasons for the large-scale use of the CCS technologies in the two countries. This analysis is based on a literature review and a field survey done to collect primary data via visits to organizations and experts. This data was enhanced by an analysis of patent deposits in the area of CCS in the two countries in last 20 years. As regards the legal framework for climate change, and for CCS in particular, while responses to the main international decisions can be found in Japan, in Brazil this is not the case. In Japan the public sector has an effective participation together with private sector and civil society. In Brazil CCS activities are conducted by the private sector which is in turn putting pressure on civil society in particular academia. Currently, Japan is focusing on CCS capture technologies, while Brazil is focusing on CCS storage technologies. In summary, the CCS framework is being more efficiently carried out in Japan than in Brazil.