Weighing Risks against GHG Reduction Benefits in Emerging Green Technologies

Abstract

Green technologies represent promising strategies for mitigating carbon emissions and combating global warming. However, their implementation in civil and industrial applications is not without risks, as intrinsic uncertainties and latent safety concerns can threaten their effective deployment. To quantitatively evaluate the trade-off between environmental benefits and safety issues, this work develops an innovative methodological approach. This approach aims to determine the risk-benefit profile of emerging green solutions through the definition and calculation of a new key performance indicator, the “Risk of CO2 Avoided Index (RCAI)”. By doing so, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of the green technology implementation and serves as a powerful tool for supporting stakeholder decision-making. In order to demonstrate the systematic nature and versatility of the methodological approach, it has been applied to a case study involving a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system retrofitted onto a power plant. The results underscore its flexibility and effectiveness, highlighting the importance of sustainable and safe technological advancements in the fight against global warming.