The Reality of Carbon Capture & Storage: Separating Promise from Hype

Let's have an honest conversation about Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). If you've been following climate solutions in the business world, you've probably heard CCS described as everything from a silver bullet to a dangerous distraction. So what's the real story?

The Sobering Numbers

Here's a reality check that might surprise you: After half a century of development and billions in investment, CCS currently captures just 0.1% of global CO2 emissions. Yes, you read that right - 0.1%. To put this in perspective, while we're pumping out roughly 37 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, CCS facilities are capturing a mere 40 million tonnes. That's like trying to empty an Olympic swimming pool with a teaspoon.

The Elephant in the Room: CCS and Fossil Fuel Industry Claims

Let's address something crucial: CCS is increasingly being used as a talking point by fossil fuel companies to justify new oil, gas, and coal projects. We need to be crystal clear here - after 50 years of development, CCS remains unproven at the scale needed to make a meaningful dent in global emissions. When you hear CCS being used to justify new fossil fuel projects or to argue against renewable energy investments, your greenwashing alarm bells should be ringing.

Think about it this way: Would you invest in a technology that, after five decades of development, has achieved less than 1% of its intended impact? Yet this is exactly what's happening when fossil fuel companies use CCS promises to fight against:

• Energy efficiency standards
• Renewable energy investments
• Phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies
• Carbon pricing mechanisms

The Asia Pacific Reality Check

Here in Asia Pacific, we're at a crucial crossroads. Take Indonesia, for example. While the country has promising geological storage options in depleted oil and gas fields, the real question isn't "Can we store CO2?" but rather "Should we invest in expensive CCS infrastructure when renewable energy costs are plummeting?"

The Gorgon Project in Australia offers a sobering case study. Despite being one of the world's largest and most advanced CCS projects, it has consistently fallen short of its carbon capture targets. This isn't just a technical hiccup - it's a pattern we've seen repeated across major CCS projects globally.

Following the Money: Who's Really Pushing CCS?

Let's follow the money trail. A significant portion of current CCS projects are tied to Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) - essentially using captured CO2 to extract more oil. See the irony? We're using a climate solution to extract more fossil fuels. This isn't about climate action; it's about extending the lifetime of oil fields.

What Business Leaders Need to Know

Here's what you really need to consider:

1.       Don't Fall for the Hype

• When someone pitches CCS as a complete climate solution, they're either misinformed or trying to sell you something
• The technology has its place, but it's not a get-out-of-jail-free card for continued fossil fuel use

2.       Watch Your Investment

• CCS projects are extremely capital intensive
• Many have failed to meet their capture targets
• Consider whether those resources might be better spent on proven emissions reduction strategies

3.       Focus on Proven Solutions First

• Energy efficiency improvements
• Renewable energy adoption
• Process optimization
• Demand reduction

4.       Policy Understanding

• Be wary of industry lobbying that uses CCS promises to delay necessary climate action
• Understand that effective climate policy needs to focus on emissions reduction first

The Hard Truth

Here's what no one in the fossil fuel industry wants to admit: CCS might have a role to play in hard-to-abate sectors like cement production or certain chemical processes, but it's not going to save the fossil fuel industry. The math simply doesn't add up. The costs are too high, the energy penalties too severe, and the infrastructure requirements too massive.

Looking Forward: A Balanced Approach

Does this mean we should abandon CCS entirely? No. But we need to be realistic about its role:

• ✅ Use it for unavoidable industrial emissions
• ✅ Research and develop better technologies
• ✅ Apply it where alternatives don't exist
• ❌ Don't use it to justify new fossil fuel projects
• ❌ Don't let it delay renewable energy adoption
• ❌ Don't fall for greenwashing that uses CCS as a cover

The Bottom Line

As business leaders, you're used to looking at hard numbers and making tough decisions. When it comes to CCS, the numbers tell us this: it's not a silver bullet, it's not a justification for new fossil fuel projects, and it's not an alternative to transitioning to renewable energy.

Instead of betting on promises of future carbon capture, focus on proven strategies to reduce emissions today. The climate crisis isn't waiting for CCS to catch up, and neither should your business strategy.

A Call to Action

Let's be part of the solution, not the problem. Challenge claims about CCS that seem too good to be true - they probably are. Invest in proven emissions reduction technologies. And most importantly, don't let the promise of future technological solutions delay action we can and must take today.

Author's Note: This assessment is based on current data and industry reports. Given the rapid evolution of climate technologies and policies, regular updates to this analysis are recommended.

Asian Sustainability Network 2025