Harnessing Quantum Computing to solve climate change and decarbonization challenges

As climate change intensifies and the world scrambles to meet the ambitious targets set by international agreements like the Paris Accord, one thing has become crystal clear: existing technologies are not enough. Despite the largest reallocation of capital in human history—over $4 trillion per year by 2030—it still won’t be enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C, the threshold needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. Current models predict a rise of 1.7°C to 1.8°C by mid-century, even with full implementation of today’s best solutions. The gap between ambition and reality underscores the urgent need for groundbreaking innovations.

Quantum computing, a technology still in its infancy, could provide the missing piece of the puzzle. Unlike classical computing, which is hitting its limits in solving the most complex problems, quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve equations exponentially faster. This unprecedented computing power offers the potential to revolutionize the fight against climate change, allowing us to develop new materials, optimize renewable energy systems, and make breakthroughs in carbon capture and storage. In short, quantum computing may be our best hope for achieving the deep decarbonization required to stave off the worst effects of global warming.

From transforming energy storage in batteries to enhancing the efficiency of solar panels, from decarbonizing heavy industries to innovating carbon capture technologies, quantum computing could be the game changer the world so desperately needs.

What Is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing is fundamentally different from classical computing. While traditional computers process information as bits—binary states of 0s and 1s—quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to the principles of quantum mechanics. This allows quantum computers to perform calculations in parallel, solving problems that would take even today’s supercomputers an impractical amount of time to compute.

Although fault-tolerant quantum computers are not expected to become mainstream until the latter half of this decade, early-stage machines known as noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers are already proving the potential of quantum technology. The impact could be especially transformative in solving some of the most complex and emissions-intensive challenges across industries, from agriculture to energy.

Quantum Computing’s climate game changer

The fight against climate change requires breakthroughs in technology that go beyond incremental improvements. Current pathways to net-zero emissions may reduce warming to 1.7°C to 1.8°C by 2050, but to avoid catastrophic climate impacts, we must achieve a reduction to 1.5°C. Quantum computing could be a game changer in helping us reach this target by enabling unprecedented advances in materials science, chemistry, and energy storage—areas critical to decarbonization.

Projections suggest that quantum computing could help develop climate technologies capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an additional 7 gigatons per year by 2035. This includes solving some of the most challenging sustainability issues that have, until now, seemed insurmountable.

Key Sectors Where Quantum Computing Could Make an Impact

1. Revolutionizing battery technology

Batteries are essential for electrifying the transportation sector and enabling grid-scale storage of renewable energy. However, the energy density of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles (EVs) and store energy from intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, has improved only modestly over the past decade. Innovation has slowed, and conventional methods are running up against material limitations.

Quantum computing could unlock breakthroughs in battery chemistry by simulating complex molecular interactions that classical computers cannot. This could lead to the discovery of new materials for battery electrodes or more efficient electrolyte designs, boosting energy density by 50%. These advances would make electric heavy goods vehicles economically viable and improve grid-scale storage, paving the way for widespread adoption of renewable energy.

2. Decarbonizing cement production

The cement industry is one of the largest emitters of CO2, responsible for about 8% of global emissions. The calcination process used to make clinker, a key ingredient in cement, releases significant amounts of CO2 that are difficult to abate.

Quantum computing offers a way to simulate alternative chemical reactions that could lead to the development of emissions-free clinker materials. By modeling the interactions of atoms and molecules with unprecedented precision, quantum computers could identify novel materials that reduce emissions while maintaining the strength and durability required for construction. This breakthrough alone could abate up to 1 gigaton of CO2 annually by 2035.

3. Accelerating solar panel efficiency

Solar power is a cornerstone of the clean energy transition, yet today’s silicon-based solar panels have limited efficiency. Even though the cost of solar energy has dropped significantly, the theoretical maximum efficiency of conventional solar panels is still far from being realized.

Quantum computing could accelerate the discovery of higher-efficiency materials like perovskites. These materials have the potential to double the efficiency of solar cells but face challenges related to stability and scalability. Quantum simulations could help scientists discover combinations of materials that overcome these hurdles, halving the cost of solar energy and dramatically increasing the adoption of solar power globally.

4. Advancing green hydrogen and ammonia

Hydrogen is emerging as a critical fuel for decarbonizing industries that require high heat, such as steelmaking, or that rely on hydrogen as a feedstock, such as fertilizer production. However, producing green hydrogen—hydrogen made from renewable electricity through electrolysis—is still costly and inefficient.

Quantum computing could transform the efficiency of electrolysis by simulating the chemical reactions that occur at the molecular level, optimizing catalyst designs, and improving membrane interactions. These advancements could reduce the cost of green hydrogen by 35% and, when combined with breakthroughs in solar technology, could make green hydrogen a cost-effective replacement for natural gas.

Additionally, ammonia, commonly used as a fertilizer, could also be produced more sustainably. Current production methods are energy-intensive, but quantum computing could help replicate the natural process of nitrogen fixation, significantly reducing the energy and cost required to produce green ammonia. This could make ammonia a viable carbon-neutral fuel for shipping, further contributing to emissions reductions.

5. Enhancing carbon capture technologies

Both point-source carbon capture—capturing CO2 from industrial emissions—and direct-air capture, which removes CO2 directly from the atmosphere, are vital for achieving net-zero emissions. However, these technologies are currently too expensive and energy-intensive to be deployed at scale.

Quantum computing could accelerate the development of new materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), that absorb CO2 more efficiently and at lower energy costs. By modeling the molecular behavior of these materials, quantum computers could identify optimal designs that make carbon capture economically viable, potentially reducing CO2 capture costs by 50%.

A Quantum leap toward Net Zero

Quantum computing holds the potential to unlock solutions to some of the most pressing climate challenges of our time. Whether through decarbonizing industrial processes, improving renewable energy technologies, or enabling more efficient carbon capture, this transformative technology could provide the breakthroughs needed to mitigate climate change. The path to reaching the 1.5°C target will require bold innovation, collaboration, and investment, and quantum computing could be the key to unlocking a sustainable, net-zero future.

While quantum computing is still in its early stages, the rapid advancements in the field suggest that it will play an increasingly critical role in the fight against climate change. Governments, industries, and researchers must work together to accelerate the development and deployment of quantum technology to ensure that the full potential of this revolutionary tool is realized in time to make a meaningful impact.