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Date	May 2018	Marks available	1	Reference code	18M.2.SL.TZ0.1
Level	Standard Level	Paper	Paper 2	Time zone	Time zone 0
Command term	State	Question number	1	Adapted from	N/A

Question

Figure 1 shows the process of carbon capture and storage (CCS) that can be used to manage climate change. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is pumped into three different underground locations, where it is stored.

Flow 1 pumps CO₂ into an underground saline reservoir.
Flow 2 pumps CO₂ into an oil reservoir; CO₂ replaces oil; oil is produced.
Flow 3 pumps CO₂ into a coal seam; CO₂ replaces methane (CH₄); methane is produced.

Figure 1: Carbon capture and storage flow chart

[Source: Adapted from http://www.wri.org/resources/charts-graphs/carbon-capture-sequestration-flow-chart.
Licensed under CC BY 4.0 International https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/]

Outline the evidence that CO₂ acts as a greenhouse gas.

[1]

State a greenhouse gas other than CO₂.

[1]

Outline how the mitigation strategy shown in Figure 1 is different to an adaptation strategy for managing climate change.

[2]

Identify two mitigation strategies to manage climate change, other than carbon capture and storage.

[2]

Outline how Flows 1 and 2 shown in Figure 1 may contribute to the capture and storage of atmospheric carbon.

[2]

Markscheme

CO₂ absorbs (outgoing) longwave/IR radiation/heat elevating global temperatures.

Accept references to climate / CO₂ data as causal link, eg increase in global CO₂levels correlate with rises in global temperatures.

methane / water vapour / nitrous oxide / tropospheric ozone / CFCs / HCFCs / HFCs.

NB if candidate names more than one gas only the first one should be assessed (even if the first is wrong and a later one is correct).

the mitigation strategy reduces the cause of climate change by removing CO₂/greenhouse gas from atmosphere;
whereas an adaptation strategy reduces negative/maximises positive impacts of climate change / addresses impacts rather than causes of climate change.

Responses may involve giving examples of either mitigation or adaptation strategies, but to gain the [2 max] they must include the characteristic/distinguishing feature of both mitigation and adaptation (ie “reducing cause” and “addressing impacts”, respectively).

reducing energy/fossil fuel consumption through carbon tax/cap & trade;
reducing emissions of NO_x/methane/through catalytic converters/regulations;
alternative energy sources;
geoengineering;
fertilizing oceans;
afforestation/biomass production.

Award [1] for each correct answer that will reduce emission/concentration of GHGs in atmosphere, up to [2 max].

(both) flows remove CO₂ released by smokestacks/power plants/fossil fuel combustion / store waste CO₂underground/beneath impermeable rock/in saline/oil reservoirs;
however, Flow 2 is associated with extraction of fossil fuels that will release more CO₂ (on combustion).

Award [1] for each correct answer, up to [2 max].

Examiners report

Unfortunately, many candidates interpreted this question as being more complex than it was, searching for evidence within the data on CCS, rather than simply stating an example of evidence required.

Vast majority of candidates were able to identify another valid greenhouse gas.

Probably around half the candidates had a tentative grasp of the distinction between mitigation and adaptation strategies, though not always sufficiently explicit for full credit. There was a significant proportion of candidates erroneously suggesting the difference lay in the fact that adaptation was about changes in lifestyle while mitigation was about technology … whereas both strategies can be addressed through either lifestyle or technological changes.

Great majority of candidates could identify a couple of valid mitigation strategies.

The majority were able to identify that both these flows trapped CO₂ underground that would otherwise enter the atmosphere. A minority recognised that Flow 2 was more limited in this respect since it led to the generation of oil that on combustion would release further CO₂.

Syllabus sections

Topic 7: Climate change and energy production » 7.2 Climate change—causes and impacts

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Topic 7: Climate change and energy production

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