Home / Environment / Australia OKs Massive CO2 Seabed Storage
Australia OKs Massive CO2 Seabed Storage
5 Nov
Summary
- Australia approved a seabed site for storing millions of tons of CO2.
- The project is led by Japanese company Inpex, starting near Darwin.
- Environmentalists raise concerns over marine habitat and endangered species.
Australia has approved a significant seabed storage site near its northern coast for a Japanese company's carbon dioxide sequestration project. The site, located offshore from Darwin in the Northern Territory, is designated to store up to 443 million metric tons of CO2 over 35 years. The project, spearheaded by Japanese energy firm Inpex, is intended to capture emissions from hard-to-abate industries.
While proponents champion carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a vital tool for reducing emissions and supporting the transition to net-zero, critics voice strong opposition. Environmental groups are particularly concerned about the project's impact on critical marine habitats and endangered species, citing potential disturbances from dredging, drilling, and increased marine traffic.
Japan views CCS as indispensable for meeting its ambitious climate goals, especially for its industrial sectors like steel and cement production, which are vital to its economy. The approved Australian site is expected to initially serve Inpex's nearby Ichthys liquefied natural gas facility, with potential for future use by other companies.
