Challenges

CO2 is the main greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Reducing its concentration in the atmosphere is a major challenge for our society. The capture and use of CO2 is one of the three levers of action envisaged. This solution is currently not implemented because the processes are energy intensive, the technologies are not well developed and the socio-economic visions around these processes are absent.

Interdisciplinarity

DefiCO2 is built around an interdisciplinary team covering the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, engineering sciences, socio-economic sciences, socio-technology and humanities and social sciences. The organization and governance of the DefiCO2 consortium, composed of 13 laboratories, involving 5 UGA clusters, 4 LabEx, the EUR-CBH and industrial partners, should allow for optimal synergy.

A transformative project

Capturing and using atmospheric CO2 to produce fuels or basic chemicals using decarbonized energy sources is a real scientific challenge. DefiCO2 will lead to breakthrough solutions and emerging technologies through a common vision of scientists with diverse expertise. The integration of researchers in socio-economic sciences will strengthen the knowledge of political and economic issues associated with CO2 capture.

National and international reach

By structuring and funding the local community across disciplines, DefiCO2 will increase the visibility of our Grenoble community at the national level. In this perspective, the few teams already identified in PEPR projects related to the problematic of this project will serve as ambassadors to promote the research conducted at the UGA and help other UGA researchers to establish links with the French community. An important component will also be developed to initiate and strengthen international collaborations, and thus facilitate the implementation of European programs.

For a better visibility of Grenoble

This project, as designed, will be a stepping stone to strengthen interactions with local industrial actors, and will place UGA at the forefront of the national and European scene in the field of carbon cycle closure. DefiCO2, and through this project, UGA, also aspires to influence the national debate on the link between climate change and the energy sector, as well as on fiscal policies to promote these green technologies for a circular economy.