At COP26, countries and companies committed to ambitious emission reduction targets, requiring a $4 trillion annual investment by 2030. However, these measures will only reduce warming to 1.7°C-1.8°C by 2050, short of the 1.5°C goal to prevent catastrophic climate change. Achieving net-zero emissions demands significant advances in climate technology, which current supercomputers can’t deliver. Quantum computing could be a game-changer, potentially reducing emissions by 7 gigatons of CO2 (CO2e) annually by 2035, especially in agriculture, direct-air capture, solar panels, and batteries (McKinsey).  Image credit: DALL-E Quantum computing is a revolutionary technology that could allow for precise molecular-level simulation and a deeper understanding of nature’s basic laws. It could create the necessary step change in carbon removal and abatement efforts, through contributions to: ### **_1. Accelerating electrification_:** Higher-density batteries for heavy vehicles and energy storage ([Hyundai and IONQ on Lithium-Air Batteries](https://spectrum.ieee.org/lithium-air-battery-quantum-computing#toggle-gdpr), [IBM and Daimler on Lithium Sulphur Batteries](https://www.ibm.com/blogs/research/2020/01/next-gen-lithium-sulfur-batteries/)). Other opportunities include solving the [Electric Mobility Problem](https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.02760)to make feasible EV fleet charging and tackling routing to reduce empty miles and save fuel. ### **_2. Abating Heavy Industry_:**  Finding an alternative to _clinkers_, a material used to make cement whose calcination process in the kiln contributes to 2/3rd of overall emissions. Steel is covered in depth in this article, with existing work being done by [Terra Quantum with Posco Holdings](https://terraquantum.swiss/news/terra-quantum-grows-presence-in-asian-markets-with-a-landmark-collaboration-with-posco-holdings-to-improve-steel-production-efficiency-using-quantum-ai), [Pasqal](https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/pasqal-qunova-computing-and-posco-holdings-collaborate-on-quantum-computing-solutions-for-traditional-steelmaking-and-material-development/) with Qunova Computing and [Honeywell with Nippon Steel](https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/news/2021/06/how-quantum-computing-can-help-nippon-steel-improve-scheduling-at-plants) ### **_3. Decarbonising power and fuel:_**  Quantum computing could simulate perovskite structures with a 40% theoretical efficiency for solar cells, helping to find efficient, durable, and non-toxic solutions. It could also be used to model the energy state of pulse electrolysis to optimise catalysis usage in hydrogen electrolysers. Other opportunities include [reducing biomass power plant emissions](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372445314_Forecasting_the_steam_mass_flow_in_a_powerplant_using_the_parallel_hybrid_network), improving [PV power forecasts](https://arxiv.org/html/2312.16379v1) to secure financing and finding a less energy-intensive way of producing ammonia using nitrogenase bioelectrocatalysis. ### **_ 4. Ramping up_** [**_carbon capture and carbon sequestration_**](https://themariojude.com/Carbon+Capture+Use+%26+Storage+(CCUS)+MOC)**_:_**  Improving the cost-effectiveness of C02 point-source capture through novel solvents with lower energy intensity, where quantum computing could help predict properties at the molecular level. [Adsorbents](https://themariojude.com/Sorbent+Materials) are ideal for direct-air capture, with [metal-organic frameworks](https://themariojude.com/Metal-Organic+Frameworks+-+MOFs) (MOFs) showing great potential to reduce energy use and costs. MOFs, acting like sponges, can absorb and release CO2 efficiently, with just a gram having a surface area larger than a football field. Quantum computing could enhance research on MOFs, addressing issues like sensitivity to oxidation, water, and CO2 degradation. Total was doing [interesting work](https://totalenergies.com/media/news/news/total-exploring-quantum-algorithms-improve-co2-capture) in this space with Cambridge Quantum Computing. (Wondering [why CCS?](https://themariojude.com/Carbon+Capture+Use+%26+Storage+(CCUS)+MOC#Why+do+CCS)) --- Related: [[Qubits for Climate MOC]] | Read my thesis on [Quantum for Climate](https://medium.com/entangle-quantum/quantum-tech-for-better-climate-a-thesis-ad20cc0ff129)