CCUS: From scepticism to solutions
Technology-neutrality, collaboration and lessons from existing projects will help the industry achieve the large-scale growth the world needs
As somebody who works on the delivery of CCUS projects every day, it is fair to say I am familiar with the critiques levelled at the sector. From questions of financial viability, delivery challenges and scaling-up, right through to the ‘get out of jail free’ accusation as it relates to fossil fuels, these criticisms range widely, both in their subject and ferocity. However, the conclusion of many critics—that CCUS should be resisted as an option—is outdated. To remain aligned with the IEA’s target indicator for its sustainable development scenario, 5,635mt/yr of carbon dioxide will need to be captured globally by 2050—more than total US CO₂ emissions in 2022. So, if CCUS projects are critic
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Emerging industry must work with policymakers to convince a broader pool of investors to buy into its long-term potential
12 March 2026
Role of world’s largest carbon cap-and-trade market under scrutiny as war in Iran threatens to drive EU energy costs to unsustainable levels
10 March 2026
Europe urgently needs to bring more projects to FID, as CCS investors warn they might divert capital to faster-growing regions
9 January 2026
A shift in perspective is needed on the carbon challenge, the success of which will determine the speed and extent of emissions cuts and how industries adapt to the new environment






