GHGT-17 Closing Plenary

At the closing plenary of GHGT-17 held in the Tellus Centre, downtown Calgary, October 21-24^th 2024, Tim Dixon (General Manager of IEAGHG) thanked the organisers and panellists of the Future Leaders panel for their thoughts, suggestions and wisdom, noting that IEAGHG is already addressing many of their suggestions and very much appreciates the youthful views of Alex Cruz in our members meetings. He gave some closing remarks by listing a series of firsts from this GHGT, the largest to date with 1547 in attendance from 47 countries, with over 350 oral presentations and 500 poster presentations.

• First announcement of a large-scale funding award at a GHGT – DOE pledged $518 million to support 23 selected projects across 19 states (CarbonSAFE)
• First business stream at a GHGT
• First session on Indigenous people and lands
• First short-notice discussion session on out-of-zone migration news
• First student poster award
• First IJGGC panel and new best paper award

Following presentations in the public outreach sessions, as a recommendation Tim suggested everyone go home and put something positive and factual into ChatGPT about CCS.

Christophe Outtrim (ERA) shared the three-year journey from the first pitch to host GHGT, through to the closing ceremony, recognising the many who contributed. It’s been a great opportunity to share Alberta’s story and give a state of play on projects, with participation from researchers, policymakers, business leaders and cutting-edge technology. It’s been a spirited discussion. He thanked sponsors, the Tellus Centre, Venues West, Tim, and Mark Summers (Alberta Innovates). And ended with sending people back to their homes from Calgary remembering the White Hat Pledge** we took at the Gala Dinner.

Tim Dixon then thanked our sponsors, the steering committee, the technical program committee, Neil Weddin and Michelle Gurney of ERA and Suzanne Killick (IEAGHG). Before revealing the worst kept secret..

Paul Feron (CSIRO), Linda Stalker (CSIRO) and Brendan Beck (Australia Energy Producers) and a real live Quokka (with possible affiliation with CO₂CRC) revealed that GHGT-18 would be going back to Australia to the city of Perth in 2026 (dates tbc). Paul thanked ERA and IEAGHG for a fantastic week, he was leaving inspired and promised the consortium would aim to deliver the same quality but that the bar has been set high.  Brendan explained it will be an exciting time to come to Australia, with 20 years of R&D experience and two large-scale projects in operation (Moomba and Gorgon), there will be plenty of updates in 2026. Linda promised glorious weather during the spring months.

Suzanne Killick IEAGHG’s events program manager had some time to thank all those who have supported her in delivering what will be her last GHGT, especially Venues West, including Lisa Harford, Ella Lap, and Glenda Freeman, and the Kubify team who delivered the posters.  Suzanne was thanked for her tireless and consistent work on organising the GHGT, she will have interacted with every person involved in delivering the conference.

Tim Dixon closed the GHGT-17 thanking all attendees, hoping that all leave with new ideas, and even more inspired and motivated. What they do is so important, and to remember that ‘good planets are hard to find’.

The White Hat pledge

“We, havin’ pleasured ourselves in the only genuine cowtown in Canada, namely Calgary, Alberta and havin’ been duly exposed to exceptional amounts of heart warmin’, hand shakin’, foot stompin’, down home, country style Western Spirit, do promise to share this here brand of Western Hospitality with all folks and critters who cross our path”. The one leading the oath adds, “On the count of three, raise your hat and shout a big ole’ Calgary ‘YAHOO!!!