Assessing the Social Implications of Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies and Smart Infrastructure Deployment

Abstract

The global energy system is undergoing a profound transformation to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement. This transition increasingly relies not only on conventional mitigation but also on two critical frontiers: Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies and smart infrastructure. However, current research and policy discussions are predominantly focused on technical feasibility and economic costs, with a significant gap in assessing their wide-ranging and complex social implications. This paper aims to fill this gap by employing an interdisciplinary analytical framework to systematically evaluate the social impacts of deploying CDR technologies (such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage, Direct Air Capture, and Enhanced Weathering) and smart infrastructure (including smart grids, smart city platforms, and intelligent transport systems). The article argues that while both technological suites are crucial for climate mitigation, they risk triggering or exacerbating a suite of social challenges, including land and resource competition, energy justice concerns, community rights, data privacy, labour market disruptions, and new governance demands. We posit that a successful energy transition is not merely a technical or economic process but a profound societal restructuring. Therefore, social considerations must be placed at the core of technology deployment and policy design. Through anticipatory governance, inclusive decision-making, and robust regulatory frameworks, the transition can be steered towards a more just, equitable, and resilient future. The paper concludes with a synthesized framework of policy recommendations to align climate action with social sustainability objectives.