Technology and Transition

Abstract

What role should emerging technologies such as carbon removal and solar geoengineering play in our response to the climate crisis? To critics, these technologies fail to address the root cause of climate change and allow wealthy nations to evade their climate responsibilities. To supporters, these technologies could make it easier to meet climate targets and even contribute to making the energy transition fairer. Indeed, carbon removal is widely considered to be a necessary component of the energy transition. This dissertation aims to advance this debate by unearthing and critiquing a web of normative and conceptual errors that confuse and constrain it. In doing so, this work contributes to broader questions concerning the relationship between technology, fairness, efficiency, and growth.