Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS): A Key Tool in the Climate Transition
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations are the primary driver of global warming. To reach climate targets such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement, it is essential to both reduce CO₂ emissions and remove CO₂ that would otherwise remain in the atmosphere. Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a suite of technologies designed to do just that.
What is CCUS?
CCUS refers to a group of technologies that capture CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases or directly from the air, then either store it permanently underground or use it in industrial processes. The main stages are:
- Capture: separating CO₂ from emissions streams.
- Transport: moving captured CO₂ to a storage or utilisation site.
- Storage or Utilisation: injecting CO₂ deep underground (e.g., in geological formations) or using it as a feedstock in other industrial processes.
Why Does CCUS Matter?
CCUS reduces the amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere from industrial processes that are difficult to electrify, such as cement, steel, and chemical production. By capturing and storing CO₂ before it escapes, CCUS helps avoid those emissions entirely.
Where CCUS is Being Used Today
While CCUS has been deployed at a relatively small number of facilities globally, technologies have been proven and are scaling up in hard-to-abate sectors. Research and pilot projects are expanding in countries such as India, exploring both carbon storage and utilisation to support national climate goals.
CCUS and the Broader Climate Strategy
CCUS is one component of a larger climate solution. It complements renewable energy, electrification, and energy efficiency measures and is particularly important in sectors where direct emission reductions are technically challenging. Its integration into climate strategies helps deepen emissions cuts over time.
CCUS and the Role of Industry Today
Reaching climate goals will not rely on a single solution. Technologies such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, electrification and carbon capture must work together to reduce emissions at the scale required.
For industrial companies, this means taking responsibility for emissions that cannot yet be eliminated entirely, while investing in systems that measurably reduce their environmental footprint.
At Alier, we understand that decarbonisation in industry is a long-term process that requires data, investment, and structural change. That is why we focus on:
- Measuring emissions rigorously through international standards
- Reducing direct and indirect emissions through renewable energy and efficiency
- Supporting industrial transformation aligned with global climate frameworks
While CCUS is one of many tools shaping the future of low-carbon industry, its development reflects the same direction the sector must take: science-based action, transparency and collaboration.
The transition to a climate-neutral economy will be built by industries that act early, invest responsibly and align innovation with measurable impact.