Kati Koponen: “Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is one more way to mitigate climate change”
Senior Scientist Kati Koponen’s research explores how carbon dioxide could be permanently removed from the atmosphere. Removal cannot replace other emission reduction methods, but it will be necessary as part of a broader response to climate change.
Senior Scientist Kati Koponen of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has spent her entire career working on climate impact assessments. Her master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation explored the climate impact of biofuels, and she has now turned her attention to energy systems and carbon dioxide capture.
Koponen brings to the Finnish Climate Change Panel expertise in carbon dioxide removal, among other things.
“Capturing or removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a topic that has gained more visibility in recent years. Since 2020, I have been leading an EU project studying different methods of carbon dioxide removal,” says Koponen.
Finnish farms may benefit from removal targets
For the first time, carbon dioxide removal has also been brought into the discussion on the EU’s 2040 climate targets. Removal means either technological means – such as storing biobased carbon dioxide captured from an industrial building’s stack in submarine geological formations – or expanding natural carbon sinks.
“Removal is by no means a substitute for other emission reduction measures, but it will still be necessary in the future if we are to meet climate targets. It will be interesting to see what kind of targets are set for removal measures.”
Carbon dioxide removal targets may also have an impact on the daily lives of Finns. Farms, for example, may benefit from implementing carbon sequestration or removal measures.
“At the same time, the Finnish forest industry has to consider whether to start storing carbon dioxide in geological repositories or whether to start manufacturing products from carbon dioxide, for example. Such products could include electrofuels made from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which could be used to achieve emission reductions.”
Finland’s electricity production is almost fossil-free
According to Kati Koponen, removal of carbon dioxide is a good example of how big changes will be needed in the future.
“A whole new industry needs to be created for carbon dioxide removal, and this does not exist yet. On the other hand, no one should be discouraged by the scale of the challenges ahead. Every climate action is important.”
Koponen is also keen to highlight successes: in Finland, for example, electricity generation has moved rapidly away from fossil fuels.
“When I started my career in 2008, the average carbon dioxide emissions from electricity production were 240 grams per kilowatt hour. Now the figure is less than 40 grams. It’s a really significant change.”
When it comes down to it, successful climate action requires us to understand the big picture, says Koponen. For example, a single climate action can have a negative impact on biodiversity.
“There are always many sides to things. In this sense, the work of the Climate Panel is essential because it takes a multidisciplinary approach, supports solutions that are positive when looking at the bigger picture and explains research in understandable language.”
“This kind of work is really important in this day and age.”
Kati Koponen spends her free time with her family and at barre classes (a mixture of ballet and Pilates). Since spring 2024, she has also taken up gardening as a new hobby.