What is Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change? (Answer in 150 words)

Introduction

CCUS captures carbon dioxide from industrial sources or air, uses it in products or transports it for permanent geological storage.

Components

• Capture separates CO₂ from flue gas or directly from ambient air.
• Utilisation converts it into chemicals, fuels, building materials or enhanced recovery applications.
• Storage injects it into deep saline aquifers or depleted reservoirs with monitoring and verification.

Climate role and limitations

• It can abate emissions from cement, steel, fertiliser and chemicals where direct electrification is difficult.
• It may support low-carbon hydrogen and negative emissions when paired with sustainable biomass.
• It preserves industrial assets during transition and can create a carbon-management economy.
• High cost, energy penalty, leakage risk, transport infrastructure and moral hazard require strict standards; CCUS complements, not replaces, renewable energy and efficiency.

Keywords: capture, utilisation, geological storage, hard-to-abate sectors, MRV, negative emissions.