Carbon Capture and Storage: A Pathway to Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has emerged as a vital technological pathway in addressing the global challenge of climate change by reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from major industrial and energy sectors. As CO₂ remains the most significant contributor to global warming, CCS provides a mechanism to capture emissions at their source, transport them safely, and store them in deep geological formations, thereby preventing their release into the atmosphere. Unlike renewable energy expansion or afforestation, CCS specifically targets hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, and chemical industries, where decarbonization options are limited. International assessments, including those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and International Energy Agency (IEA), underscore that achieving net-zero targets by mid-century is unlikely without CCS integration. Despite concerns over cost, infrastructure, and public acceptance, advancements in technology and supportive policies highlight CCS as an essential complement to other mitigation strategies for a sustainable, low-carbon future.