Mass Cultivation of Microalgae III: A Philosophical and Economic Exploration of Carbon Capture and Utilization

• Published in: Sustainability
• Main Authors: Anna-Karin Margareta Andersson, Øyvind Stokke, Ukeje Jacob Agwu, Erik Westad Strømsheim, Richard Andre Ingebrigtsen, Geir-Henning Wintervoll, Terje Aspen, Hans Christian Eilertsen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023
• Subjects: carbon capture and utilization; sustainable aquaculture; climate ethics; circular economy; applied philosophy; Environmental effects of industries and plants; TD194-195; Renewable energy sources; TJ807-830; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Arctic; Finnfjord; Norway; Northern Norway; Arctic University of Norway; UiT The Arctic University of Norway
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416826; https://doaj.org/article/f71b9fa62f3f4a218430458d5084f491

This article discusses an innovative carbon capture and utilization project from societal, economic, and ethical perspectives. UiT—The Arctic University of Norway and the ferrosilicon producer Finnfjord AS, both located in Northern Norway, collaborate to develop sustainably produced fish feed by cultivating microalgae (diatoms) that feed on CO 2 from the factory fume. The microalgae biomass, when added to fish feed applied in the aquaculture industry, contributes nutrients that are essential to human and fish health. The project carries the potential to contribute to the operationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals. The present study is intended as a contribution to the literature focusing on CO 2 utilization as a means of achieving a sustainable “green” transition in the industry. By viewing the utilization of CO 2 through the lenses of biotechnology, a circular economy, ethics and philosophy, our research findings are relevant to sustainability scholars, industrial actors, and policy makers. It also presents future perspectives on how the aquaculture and manufacturing industries can contribute to the operationalizing of the Sustainable Development Goals in a rapidly evolving industrial environment that is now undergoing a paradigm shift.