Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)

Subject :Environment

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) encompass methods and technologies to remove CO₂ from the flue gas and from the atmosphere, followed by recycling the CO₂ for utilization and determining safe and permanent storage options.
CO2 captured using CCUS technologies is converted into fuel (methane and methanol), refrigerants and building materials.
The captured gas is used directly in fire extinguishers, pharma, food and beverage industries as well as the agricultural sector.
CCUS technologies can play an important role in meeting net zero targets, including as one of the few solutions to tackle emissions from heavy industry and to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
CCUS is considered an important tool to help countries halve their emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
These goals are crucial to meet the Paris Agreement targets for restricting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (°C), and preferable to 1.5°C, over pre-industrial levels.
CCUS technologies also provide the foundation for carbon removal or “negative emissions” when the CO2 comes from bio-based processes or directly from the atmosphere.
There are around 35 commercial facilities applying CCUS to industrial processes, fuel transformation and power generation.
CCUS facilities currently capture almost 45 Mt CO2 globally, but this needs to increase.

Carbon Avoidance-

Carbon avoidance involves measures aimed at preventing carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
Carbon avoidance can occur either via carbon offsets or via direct carbon reduction measures.
Many human activities carry a significant carbon footprint, but particularly intense are the industrial burning of fossil fuels, and the destruction of natural carbon sinks such as forests.
Carbon avoidance projects aim to curb these emissions by targeting these activities and capturing the emission they create, or preventing the activities altogether.

The impact of carbon avoidance on emissions-

Carbon avoidance via offsets does not work at the core issue of reducing overall CO2 emissions. Carbon avoidance via direct carbon reduction measures does work at the core issue of reducing overall CO2 emissions.
The effectiveness of carbon avoidance via carbon offsets depends on the type of project and if the project is realized, additional, permanent, meets certain key criteria and project standards, and does not engage in greenwashing. Carbon avoidance via direct carbon reduction measures is effective because it cuts emissions at their source.

The main benefits of carbon avoidance

Carbon avoidance aids in climate change mitigation, improves air quality, and protects ecosystems.

The main drawbacks of carbon avoidance

Carbon offset limitations and global reliance on fossil fuels are drawbacks to carbon avoidance measures.