Scottish and Canadian Scientists Strengthen Links on Climate Protection Through Carbon Capture and Storage Research

Successful students for this competitive award will be accepted as visiting graduate students at Regina after completing two semesters of the University of Edinburgh’s MSc in CCS.

Though UK Government policy on CCS is going through an adjustment in emphasis, the research and development (R&D) budget on CCS is being increased and international collaboration is being actively encouraged. Important strides are being made on CCS in other countries, such as Canada, where two of the world’s first full-chain CCS projects have begun operating. International collaborations, such as the agreements signed today and others to be discussed at the academic summit, are essential for continued momentum and the delivery of CCS technology worldwide.

The SCCS summit has been made possible due to funding from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Canada and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) Capacity Building Fund.

Dr David Malloy, Vice-President (Research), University of Regina, said: “The University of Regina is set to have a major impact on reducing global carbon emissions. Our research into CCS and our subsequent technologies are cutting edge. This agreement is an exciting step toward building international capacity in CCS, and we are thrilled to be able to share our knowledge with University of Edinburgh students as we welcome them to our hub in CCS. Working together we have the potential to provide real solutions to climate change around the world.”

Mr Alan Mackay, Director International Office, Deputy Vice Principal International, the University of Edinburgh, said: “The collaboration between our two universities is an excellent example of how international collaboration can tackle an international problem, such as climate change. These student placements not only build links between the UK and Canada, but will also contribute to finding solutions to the urgent challenge of tackling increasing CO2 emissions worldwide.”

Caroline Saunders, British Consul General Calgary-designate, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said: “The aspiration of the COP21 climate agreement to keep global warming below 1.5°C makes the potential role of CCS, and especially bioenergy with CCS, all the more important. We need to understand how CCS can best ‘fit in’ with the complex and dynamic energy system of the 21st century and that’s a learning process.”

Prof Stuart Haszeldine, Professor of Carbon Capture and Storage, the University of Edinburgh, and SCCS Director, said: “We are using this opportunity to cement tangible international links between 16 leading academic institutes worldwide, and align research and development funding and objectives. This is practical international partnership and innovation in action between nine nations to boost worldwide deployment of new technology against climate change.”