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Managing Carbon, Managing Futures: A Study of Sociotechnical Imaginaries in the Rollout of CCUS in Denmark

Brix Georgsen, Kara LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is set to play a key role in decarbonization. Most of the technologies are yet to be seen on commercial scale. Denmark is in the process of establishing some of the first large-scale CCUS value-chains. Through a combination of document analysis and interviews, I study the ideas driving the current roll-out of CCUS in Denmark. To do this, I make use of the analytical concept of sociotechnical imaginaries. Through my work, I find that CCUS is mobilised as a necessary tool for halting climate change. It is also envisioned as a profitable business adventure and with potential to secure Denmark’s image as a climate frontrunner. This leads me to discuss how the rollout of CCUS is driven by an... (More)
Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is set to play a key role in decarbonization. Most of the technologies are yet to be seen on commercial scale. Denmark is in the process of establishing some of the first large-scale CCUS value-chains. Through a combination of document analysis and interviews, I study the ideas driving the current roll-out of CCUS in Denmark. To do this, I make use of the analytical concept of sociotechnical imaginaries. Through my work, I find that CCUS is mobilised as a necessary tool for halting climate change. It is also envisioned as a profitable business adventure and with potential to secure Denmark’s image as a climate frontrunner. This leads me to discuss how the rollout of CCUS is driven by an approach to climate mitigation which centres technological development and market-driven mechanisms. I conclude that, while CCUS might be deemed necessary for industrial decarbonisation, the technologies are unlikely to foster wide-reaching change, thus it remains key to continuously scrutinize its role in climate mitigation and the construction of more climate-friendly societies. (Less)
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author
Brix Georgsen, Kara LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
CCUS, industrial decarbonisation, carbon infrastructure, climate change mitigation, sociotechnical imaginaries, ecomodernism, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:046
language
English
id
9202069
date added to LUP
2025-06-18 11:58:28
date last changed
2025-06-18 11:58:28
@misc{9202069,
  abstract     = {{Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is set to play a key role in decarbonization. Most of the technologies are yet to be seen on commercial scale. Denmark is in the process of establishing some of the first large-scale CCUS value-chains. Through a combination of document analysis and interviews, I study the ideas driving the current roll-out of CCUS in Denmark. To do this, I make use of the analytical concept of sociotechnical imaginaries. Through my work, I find that CCUS is mobilised as a necessary tool for halting climate change. It is also envisioned as a profitable business adventure and with potential to secure Denmark’s image as a climate frontrunner. This leads me to discuss how the rollout of CCUS is driven by an approach to climate mitigation which centres technological development and market-driven mechanisms. I conclude that, while CCUS might be deemed necessary for industrial decarbonisation, the technologies are unlikely to foster wide-reaching change, thus it remains key to continuously scrutinize its role in climate mitigation and the construction of more climate-friendly societies.}},
  author       = {{Brix Georgsen, Kara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Managing Carbon, Managing Futures: A Study of Sociotechnical Imaginaries in the Rollout of CCUS in Denmark}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}