Call for Paper: Carbon Recycling

Carbon dioxide Capture and Utilization (Carbon recycling), which is the process of capturing and reusing emitted CO2, is considered a key technology to realize a carbon-neutral society. From various research has been done, four markets of carbon recycling technologies are projected to grow in the near future:

1. building material: concrete and carbonate aggregate,
2. intermediate chemicals with wide application in various end-use industries such as agriculture, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and textile: methanol, formic acid, and syn-gas,
3. fuels: liquid fuel and methane
4. polymer: polyols (reduced-calorie, sugar-free bulk sweeteners) and polycarbonate (plastic)

Industries, Research Institutions, and Governments have developed a Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies.  METI of Japan formulated a Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies in June 2019 to specify goals, technological challenges, and timeframes (what directions to aim for in each phase) regarding these technologies and accelerating innovation by having these goals, etc. The road map was revised in 2021 with wider technology coverage and considered scalable technology acceleration. 

Recently, governments have considered carbon recycling as a key technology in green growth strategy or strategic planning to achieve a net zero emission society. Policy and Funding have been directed to accelerate the deployment of Carbon Recycling. Green funding for example allocates R&D funding significantly for carbon recycling.

Although the carbon recycling technology looks promising, with government support already in place, there are several hurdles to achieving commercial scale. Reducing costs to be acceptable to the market needs further research to improve the process and reduce energy needs. Better regulation to promote carbon recycling as an option for climate mitigation is needed.

Therefore, it is crucial to explore the socio-economic, governance, regulatory framework, and environmental aspects of carbon recycling. Research topics may include how to increase competitiveness analysis between carbon recycling technologies and existing fuel generation technologies, to assess innovative technology development of carbon recycling in the future, to economic valuation of carbon recycling activities that may include the future potential of carbon recycling, governance and regulatory framework needed, and fostering regional cooperation to accelerate the deployment of carbon recycling.

Asia CCUS Network (ACN), implemented by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), is developing its report publication, focusing on Carbon Recycling in ASEAN and East Asia. We invite researchers from various backgrounds to contribute to the publication of research papers on, but not limited the socio-economic and environmental analysis of carbon recycling development and implementation.

Contributions may highlight the socio-economic, regulatory framework, regional collaboration scheme, governance, and environmental realm of carbon recycling.

 

Research Questions

The project is expected to investigate issues such as:

 

1. Taking stock of the carbon recycling road map, regulations, and policies in the country of study, before examining the hypothesis of the study (intention of the study).
2. This study also aims to comprehensively understand the current situation of the development of specific carbon recycling technology, its prospects for development, and potential hurdles and solutions from a policy perspective
3. Barriers and necessary institutional capacity for regulations to set up the carbon recycling market domestically, regionally, and later globally.
4. Governance issues such as life cycle accounting; end-of-life handling of products; and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV)
5. Sustainable financing of carbon recycling
6. Certificate carbon emission reduction or balance of carbon emission and reduction

 

Study Methods

The project uses both qualitative and quantitative methods conducted by researchers with diversified backgrounds. This call for proposals invites researchers who can contribute to the above research questions. This call for proposals is also disseminated through the ERIA and university networks and ERIA’s website. Given that the project involves practical implications, we will encourage collaboration between academia, research institutions, banking and financial experts, experts from industries, civil society, and other stakeholders involved in carbon recycling to submit a proposal to ERIA, through Ms. Laksmita Dwi Hersaputri, Research Associate (Energy Unit), ERIA. Email: laksmita.hersaputri@eria.org.

Kindly note that when you submit your proposal for our consideration, please include the following:

• Topic of research
• Brief background/introduction
• Research Methodology
• Expected outcome; for example policy recommendations

 

Expected Results and Deliverables

The outputs are expected to be published as an ERIA report and will be circulated among stakeholders and published on the ACN and ERIA websites. We will also produce the policy brief from these studies.

 Recommendations and Policy Implications

This project aims to inform policy debates and practices for advancing the development and deployment of ASEAN and East Asia carbon recycling. The project will provide policy recommendations to promote carbon deployment as a key technology in meeting the Asia Zero Emission Community.

Project Timeline

The expected timeline (date/month/year) of launch, workshop, submission of report, publication, etc:

Contracting team members	October 2024
First stage research work and WG preparation (kickoff)	November 2024
First workshop (two days) (assessment of progress)	January 2025
Second workshop (two days) (assessment of progress)	May 2025
Final report submission and review	June - July 2025
Project final report editing and submission	July - August 2025
Publishing report	September 2025

 

Research Team

1. Project team leader and editor: Mr. Shigeru Kimura, Senior Policy Fellow, ERIA
2. Co-project leaders: Dr. I Gusti Suarnaya Sidemen, CCS/CCUS Expert, ERIA

Tentative Team members:

1. Laksmita Dwi Hersaputri, Research Associate, ERIA
2. Ryan Wiratama Bhaskara, Research Associate, ERIA
3. Shafa Nabilla Haya, Research Associate, ERIA

Remuneration

The research proposal, which falls under this theme, will be awarded US$4,000-US$9,000 as part of the honorarium if successfully selected for participation in this study. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

 

Deadline of proposal submissions: 15 October 2024

References:

1. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, In cooperation with the of Cabinet Office, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, & Ministry of the Environment.  2019, Revised 2021. Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies,
2. Global CO2 Initiative. 2016. Global Roadmap for Implementing CO2 Utilization. https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/150624.
3. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2019. Gaseous Carbon Waste Streams Utilization: Status and Research Needs.  https://nap.nationalacademies.org/download/25232.