CCS has become an important topic of discussion in today's world due to its potential to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Today, coal and gas-fuelled power plants continue to be the mainstay of the world's electrical sector – they provide approximately two-thirds of all electricity, a share that has remained relatively unchanged since 2000 despite the massive surge in clean and renewable sources of power generation. 

And this has led, in no small measure, to the global CO2 emissions across the world – global emissions from energy combustion and industrial processes have jumped nearly 50% from 24.6 giga tones (Gt) in 2000 to nearly 36.8 Gt last year, according to the International Energy Agency’s CO2 Emissions in 2022 report.

One of the main reasons why CCS is important is that it allows us to continue using fossil fuels while reducing the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. By capturing and storing this CO2, we can reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere without having to give up our reliance on fossil fuels – enter CCS.

While CCS has had its detractors, especially on the massive cost overruns that such projects routinely incur, this technology does have the potential to help in the decarbonisation of our world.

Here are some reasons why CCS is considered beneficial for decarbonisation:

1. Reduction of CO2 emissions: CCS technology captures CO2 from industrial processes and power plants before it is released into the atmosphere, preventing it from contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. 

2. Utilisation of existing fossil fuel infrastructure: CCS can be retrofitted onto existing fossil fuel infrastructure, including power plants and industrial facilities, without requiring major modifications or replacements. 

3. Potential for negative emissions: CCS can enable the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, leading to negative emissions. This can help to offset past emissions and achieve net-negative emissions, which are necessary for achieving long-term climate goals.

4. Economic opportunities: CCS has the potential to create new economic opportunities, such as the development of new industries and job creation.

5. Additionally, CCS can be used in conjunction with enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, which can increase oil and gas production and generate revenue, providing economic incentives for CCS deployment.

CCUS, therefore, is an important technology that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. By capturing and storing CO2 emitted from industrial processes and power plants, we can continue to use fossil fuels while reducing their impact on the environment. 

This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA.