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This Energy Explained post represents the research and views of the author(s). It does not necessarily represent the views of the Center on Global Energy Policy. The piece...
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After years of trying, the US may be on the cusp of a nuclear renaissance. Commercial nuclear generation began in this country in 1958. Today, the US has...
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The Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and ReNew invite you to Columbia India Energy Dialogue 2026, taking place...
Report by Amar Bhardwaj, Colin McCormick & Julio Friedmann • May 04, 2021
This report represents the research and views of the authors. It does not necessarily represent the views of the Center on Global Energy Policy. The paper may be subject to further revision.
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Jay Bernstein
Breakthrough Energy LLC
Occidental Petroleum Corporation
Despite growing efforts to drastically cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and address climate change, energy outlooks project that the world will continue to rely on certain products that are currently carbon-intensive to produce but have limited alternatives, such as aviation fuels and concrete. Recycling CO2 into valuable chemicals, fuels, and materials has emerged as an opportunity to reduce the emissions of these products. In this way, CO2 recycling is a potential cornerstone of a circular carbon economy that can support a net-zero future. However, CO2 recycling processes have largely remained costly and difficult to deploy, underscoring the need for supportive policies informed by analysis of the current state and future challenges of CO2 recycling.
This report, part of the Carbon Management Research Initiative at Columbia University’s Center on Global Policy, examines 19 CO2 recycling pathways to understand the opportunities and the technical and economic limits of CO2 recycling products gaining market entry and reaching global scale. The pathways studied consume renewable (low-carbon) electricity and use chemical feedstocks derived from electrochemical pathways powered by renewable energy. Across these CO2 recycling pathways, the authors evaluated current globally representative production costs, sensitivities to cost drivers, carbon abatement potential, critical infrastructure and feedstock needs, and the effect of subsidies. Based on this analysis, the paper concludes with targeted policy recommendations to support CO2 recycling innovation and deployment.
Key findings of the analysis include the following:
Based on these findings, the authors recommend the following set of policy actions:
This Energy Explained post represents the research and views of the author(s). It does not necessarily represent the views of the Center on Global Energy Policy. The piece...
The interactive tool estimates how the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act could impact the permitting and construction timelines of different types of energy projects.
The White House has just announced over $2 billion in new critical minerals, magnets, and battery investments.
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Report by Amar Bhardwaj, Colin McCormick & Julio Friedmann • May 04, 2021