A process for the removal of pollutants from a combustion process and, more particularly, a process for removing pollutants such as carbon dioxide, mercury, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen compounds and oxygen compounds from a combustion process. The process includes the removal of pollutants from a combustion process that produces an emission comprising: cooling the emission to a temperature of about 200.degree. C.; removing nitrogen, water and oxygen from the emission to produce a gas containing a concentration of pollutants; contacting the gas with an aqueous magnesium chloride solution, wherein a slurry mixture is formed; and cooling the gas and the slurry mixture, wherein hydrochloric acid vapour and a sludge are formed.