Researchers Unite to Achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions in the U.S.

Researchers from various Department of Energy national laboratories have joined forces in a focused effort to reduce carbon emissions across the U.S. to net zero. Led by teams at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, this comprehensive initiative includes collaboration from Pacific Northwest, Brookhaven, Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Ames, and SLAC National Accelerator laboratories. Together, the experts are targeting some of the most carbon-intensive sectors of the economy.

Traditionally, efforts to mitigate carbon emissions have focused on capturing or sequestering carbon, known as decarbonization. However, a new strategy, referred to as “defossilization,” seeks to minimize the need for extracting new fossil fuels by recovering and repurposing carbon from existing processes and products.

Stephen Streiffer, the director of ORNL, emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “Carbon is a vital part of many of today’s products and processes, and we must be creative in how to address its use in the face of global climate change.”

The proposed “circular economy” aims to reclaim much of the carbon already present in areas like power generation and materials difficult to recycle, such as biomass, municipal waste, biomethane, carbon dioxide, and plastics. By reusing carbon where possible, this approach could significantly reduce new emissions, particularly in sectors like transportation and industry, which together account for over 50% of the U.S. carbon footprint.

The researchers highlight the need for defossilization to reduce carbon emissions in sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as the manufacturing of chemicals and polymeric materials, as well as segments of the transportation economy like aviation, long-haul, heavy-duty, and marine transportation.

To achieve the ambitious goal of a circular carbon economy, rapid advancements in scientific and technological innovation are necessary. Michelle K. Kidder, a distinguished researcher and program manager at ORNL, stressed the urgency of translating discoveries into applications that can make a significant impact on emissions reductions.

Hundreds of scientists and technical experts from national laboratories are diligently working to overcome longstanding scientific and technological barriers. ORNL’s research combines advanced tools like artificial intelligence and machine learning with chemistry to develop new materials, supported by the world’s fastest supercomputer, Frontier.

The collaborative effort laid out by these researchers offers a promising path toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. By fostering collaboration and accelerating innovation, there is hope for significantly reducing the U.S. carbon footprint and achieving net-zero emissions to combat climate change effectively. This ambitious endeavor not only seeks to safeguard the planet but also to ensure a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations.