Ghana Launches First Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Lab

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in partnership with Yinson Production West Africa Limited and the Petroleum Commission (PC), has commissioned Ghana’s first NetZero Carbon Emission Lab (NCEL). The facility is dedicated to scientific carbon measurement, emissions modelling, advanced decarbonisation research, and industry-focused training.

Located at the College of Engineering, the NCEL is a key component of the NetZero Carbon Emissions Project (NCEP), a five-year research and development initiative launched on June 12, 2025. The project aims to harmonise Ghana’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data into a single, interactive national map and conduct a comprehensive carbon intensity assessment of the oil and gas sector.

Yinson has invested approximately US$350,000 in establishing the lab, with the initial funding released following the submission and approval of the project’s inception report and implementation plan.

Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the College of Engineering, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with KNUST’s commitment to producing industry-ready graduates and providing scientific leadership for national development. “Our work with industry is very relevant. We design our curriculum to respond to the needs of industry. They provide opportunities for internships and vacation training, ensuring our students are ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” he stated.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Asare-Nkansah, explained that the NCEL addresses a crucial national need – the lack of a consolidated, scientifically sound dataset on Ghana’s current emissions profile. “Although Ghana is committed under the Paris Agreement to decarbonisation and netzero emissions, we lack a unified emissions baseline. The NCEL is a clear demonstration of commitment to collaboration and knowledge-transfer partnerships between academia and industry,” he said.

He further added that the project will bolster evidence-based climate policy, enhance monitoring capabilities, and propose mitigation strategies, particularly for the oil and gas sector.

Naa Opoku-Agyeman, Managing Director of Yinson Ghana, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to capacity development. “We believe in the power of education to turn around fortunes. When we invest in scholarships and infrastructure, we look not only at the impact today but at how these resources will support future students,” she said.

Victoria Emeafa Hardcastle, CEO of the Petroleum Commission, described the commissioning as a “transformative journey” and a “forward-looking commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible resource development.”

Dr. Yen Adams Sokama-Neuyam, Principal Investigator of the project and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, affirmed the team’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge research and high-level advisory services to support government policy and industrial innovation in advancing national climate action. “The project stands as a powerful testament to the local oil and gas industry’s commitment to bold netzero ambitions demonstrated through strategic investment in in-country research and development,” he noted.

The NCEL boasts an ultramodern workspace, functioning as both a training studio and a research hub. It is equipped with high-performance computing for AI-driven analytics and simulations, modern research workstations, smart presentation systems, energy-efficient infrastructure, and robust security systems to protect equipment and data.

Once fully operational, the lab will serve as a dual-purpose facility – a research centre, an industry training hub, and a living laboratory for emerging technologies, including Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) for oil and gas decarbonisation.

Within the first six months, the project team has assembled an interdisciplinary team, appointed a project manager and communications officer, recruited six funded MPhil students, and actively engaged stakeholders across national institutions.

Unlike typical project-based labs, the NCEL is designed for long-term sustainability, generating revenue through professional training and certification, strategic advisory services, carbon credit validation and verification, and specialised laboratory services.

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