SAY NO  to the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project 

SAY NO to the Mainland Route which would impact Exbury, Beaulieu, Bucklers Hard, East End, Norleywood, South Baddesley, Pilley, Portmore, Lymington, Boldre, Everton, Downton, Milford on Sea and New Milton 

SAY NO to the two Isle of Wight Routes (also see and sign https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-solent-co2-pipeline

SAY NO to the irreversible damage to the environment which would be caused by a 50 meters wide construction of a CO2 pipeline over several years

SAY NO to the risks of health hazards from CO2 pipeline leaks in the vicinity of populated areas including more than 15 schools

SAY NO to the risk of acidification of the sea and harm to marine life which could result from the injection of CO2 at very high pressure in a marine aquifer

Carbon capture is an international priority and must be addressed urgently. However, this should not be at the expense of environmental destruction nor human or animal safety. On these grounds, this petition is against the proposed construction by ExxonMobil of a CO2 land pipeline going from Fawley to a marine aquifer in the seabed, west of the Isle of Wight and south of ChristChurch, Bournemouth and Poole, for the following reasons:

1. Irreversible Damage to the Environment. The construction of a CO2 pipeline would result in irreversible damage to the environment. The pipeline would cut through protected natural areas and disrupt ecosystems and habitats. The construction process, requiring a space equivalent to an 8 lane motorway, would destroy natural vegetation and cause significant land and soil disturbance by compaction and root disturbance which in turn would impact crops and natural habitats for the unique wildlife species found along the proposed corridors. The areas comprising the Beaulieu Estuary, the New Forest National Park and the Isle of Wight have been identified to be among the most important places in Western Europe for 200 bird species and over 120,000 migratory birds. Most of the land in the contemplated corridors include designated sites with the highest national and/or international protection such as New Forest National Park, ancient and veteran woodlands, Wetland Sites of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), National Nature Reserves and UNESCO Biosphere.

2. Serious Health Hazards. CO2 is used in animal slaughter in many countries worldwide as it leads to rapid unconsciousness. CO2 is colourless, odourless and an asphyxiant which can cause headaches, nausea, convulsions, cardiac arrest, and death. In 1986 in Cameroon, a cloud of CO2 spontaneously released from Lake Nyos killed 1,800 people in nearby villages within minutes. The potential for a leak of CO2 transported in a super critical liquid phase, poses serious health hazards to surrounding communities. CO2 vaporises into a gas that is heavier than air, sinking low to the ground, quickly reaching deadly levels, causing animals and people to become unconscious within minutes. CO2 pipeline ruptures can impact areas measured in miles, not feet. The recent leaks in the U.S.A. from pipelines owned by ExxonMobil serve as stark reminders of the devastating effects of a CO2 leak. In Satartia, Mississippi (2020) a serious leak resulted in unconsciousness in individuals, evacuation and 49 hospitalisations. In Sulphur, Louisiana (2024), there was a leak of an estimated 2548 barrels with a significantly delayed emergency response. Leaks from CO2 pipelines have occurred in other states of the U.S.A including Texas and Colorado and other parts of the world. From 1986 to 2021, records show around three accidents per year related to onshore CO2 pipelines in the U.S.A.

3. Acidification of the sea. The technology and safety aspects of carbon capture and storage in a marine aquifer are unproven and pose potentially significant risks to the marine environment. The potential seepage of large amounts of pressurised CO2 into the sea, would generate carbonic acid leading to acidification and harm to marine life. The  impact on marine ecosystems, including fish populations and potential contamination of underground drinking water, on the South coast of Hampshire and Dorset could be catastrophic.

We urge ExxonMobil to reconsider and all relevant authorities to refuse the proposed construction of the Exxon Solent CO2 Pipeline and to prioritise the protection of the environment, public health, fauna, flora and marine ecosystems.  Our collective future depends on responsible and sustainable decision-making with regard to carbon capture and storage. 

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