Exploring Carbon Capture and Storage: The Technology Behind the Promise

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is generating a lot of buzz in the climate change community and is expected to be a focal point at COP 28. This technology promises to help reduce carbon emissions by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial processes and storing it deep underground. While this sounds like a groundbreaking solution, let's dive into what CCS is, its current status, and its future potential.

What is CCS?

CCS technology aims to trap CO2 emissions at their source—before they enter the atmosphere. Unlike carbon dioxide removal (CDR), which removes CO2 already in the air (like planting trees or using direct air capture), CCS focuses on capturing emissions from the start. While it’s a promising approach for hard-to-decarbonize industries like cement production, it’s not without its challenges. CCS doesn’t tackle emissions from burning fossil fuels but targets the emissions produced during extraction and processing. Additionally, the energy required to run CCS technology can sometimes result in more emissions, especially if the energy comes from fossil fuels. Some studies even suggest that CCS might end up producing more emissions than it sequesters.

The Feasibility of Scaling Up

Despite decades of development, CCS has been slow to scale. Currently, there are only about 30 commercial CCS projects worldwide, capturing roughly 42.5 million tons of CO2 annually. This is a tiny fraction of the emissions reduction needed to meet 2030 targets. The International Energy Agency had initially projected a much higher storage capacity, but many projects have been canceled or delayed due to high costs and technical issues. Scaling CCS up to the levels required would be a massive undertaking—akin to building the world’s largest carbon capture facility every week until 2050.

Moreover, the potential for safe geological storage of CO2 might be limited. Financial, contractual, and logistical barriers make it unlikely that we will be able to store more than 5 billion tons of CO2 per year underground by 2050. The distance between emission sources and storage sites also poses a challenge, often requiring extensive infrastructure and investment.

The Cost Factor

CCS is still relatively expensive. The cost of capturing CO2 varies widely based on factors such as the industrial process, CO2 concentration, transportation distance, and storage location. Costs are projected between CAD 27–150 per ton of CO2, but these estimates are often based on models rather than long-term operational data. Unlike renewable technologies like solar and wind, which have seen dramatic cost reductions, CCS has not yet achieved similar economies of scale due to its complex and highly specialized nature.

Encouraging a Greener Future

While CCS has potential, it is not a silver bullet for climate change. It’s crucial to recognize that renewable energy sources like solar and wind offer more immediate and scalable solutions. Nonetheless, CCS can play a role in reducing emissions from industries that are harder to decarbonize.

As we look toward the future, it’s important to continue investing in and exploring all avenues for reducing our carbon footprint. By supporting innovative technologies, advocating for sustainable practices, and embracing cleaner energy solutions, we can work together to make a meaningful impact on our planet. Every step counts in our journey to protect the environment and ensure a healthier world for future generations.