Decarbonisation Technology May 2022 Issue

Hydrogen pathways for a clean energy future Methane pyrolysis is an emerging, eco-friendly alternative for clean H 2 production that can be flexibly deployed across global natural gas networks

Gary Schubak Ekona Power Inc.

A ddressing global climate change might be the largest and most important collective endeavour the world has ever faced. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, principally driven by changes in the atmosphere. These shifts may be natural, occurring over long periods of time. However, for the past two centuries, global climate change has been accelerated by human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. Combustion of fossil fuels produces heat- trapping gases, like carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), that collect in the atmosphere and lead to a general warming of the planet. Reducing these 'greenhouse gases' or GHG emissions is the key priority for constructing a sustainable and clean energy future. The first climate action milestone was reached in Paris on 12 December 2015, when over 190 countries adopted the first legally binding agreement to curb GHG emissions. This landmark treaty, known as The Paris Agreement or COP21, united all nations with a common goal to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre- industrial levels. Achieving these goals requires a significant reduction in GHG emissions worldwide. COP26, the most recent United Nations climate change conference to date, was held in Scotland from 31 October to 13 November 2021. The assembly placed even greater urgency on reducing GHG emissions, as well as ending coal power and fossil fuel subsidies. Renewed calls for action emphasise the need to scale the adoption of green and renewable energy technologies for

electricity generation, electrify energy services where it makes sense, capture and sequester CO 2 from existing fossil fuel-driven processes, and adopt hydrogen as an energy carrier to decarbonise many tough-to-decarbonise segments of the global economy. In addition, the launch of the First Movers Coalition at COP26 is bringing the collective purchasing power of global companies to drive market demand for these low-carbon technology solutions. Countries ranked among the top 10 GHG emitters account for over a quarter (26%) of global GHG emissions. These include China, the US, India, the Russian Federation, Japan, and Canada. Among these top emitters, only Japan, Canada, and the EU have legally binding net- zero commitments. Canada’s net-zero plan The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act became law on 29 June 2021. With a legislated commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the Canadian government is beholden to ensure transparency and accountability in all efforts to deliver on its targets. The Act establishes a legally binding process to set five-year national emissions- reduction targets, as well as develop credible, science-based emissions-reduction plans to achieve each target. It includes the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, a roadmap for how Canada can achieve GHG emissions reductions of 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030. Taking into consideration the best available science, the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan includes new measures and strategies across all sectors of the economy.