Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage with ESG

Overview

This research examines how Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies can be strategically integrated within Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks to accelerate sustainable climate solutions.

CCUS in ESG Framework

CCUS
Integration

E

Environmental

Carbon reduction targets, emission monitoring, climate impact

S

Social

Community engagement, job creation, just transition

G

Governance

Policy compliance, transparency, risk management

The three pillars reinforce one another. Environmental gains rely on governance to fund and regulate them, and on social licence to proceed.

CCUS Value Chain

🏭

Capture

CO₂ separation from industrial sources

→

🚛

Transport

Pipeline or shipping infrastructure

→

⚗️

Utilization

Conversion to products or fuels

→

🗻

Storage

Geological sequestration

How the Parts Connect

Each stage of the value chain advances the environmental goal, but only succeeds with social licence and governance behind it. The map traces those links, from capture through to permanent storage.

Environmental

Social

Governance

🏭 Capture

Removes CO₂ at the source, the core climate benefit

Keeps jobs in hard to abate industries through the transition

Only viable with carbon pricing and emission standards behind it

🚛 Transport

Pipeline and shipping footprint must stay small to protect the net gain

Routes and safety need local consent and community engagement

Cross border CO₂ movement needs permits and clear liability

⚗️ Utilization

Turns CO₂ into fuels and products, displacing fossil feedstock

Opens new markets and green industry jobs

Accounting rules stop the same tonne being counted twice

🗻 Storage

Locks carbon underground permanently

Public trust hinges on proven containment safety

Long term monitoring and liability frameworks are essential

Research Themes

Policy Analysis

Global regulatory frameworks supporting CCUS deployment

Investment Strategy

Financial mechanisms for scaling carbon capture

ESG Reporting

Standards for CCUS project evaluation

Stakeholder Value

Balancing environmental and business goals

The 2026 Landscape

CCUS is shifting from pilot projects toward commercial deployment. More than 600 projects are now in development worldwide and global operational capture capacity has reached roughly 73 million tonnes of CO₂ per year. At the same time the market is splitting in two. A small number of large, integrated hubs advance on solid economics, while many standalone projects stall without government mandates or offtake guarantees. This bifurcation makes the governance pillar more decisive than ever.

Carbon Border Pricing

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism enters into force in 2026, extending carbon pricing to imports and strengthening the business case for capture in heavy industry

Shared Storage Hubs

Denmark's Greensand project enters operation in 2026, an early example of shared transport and storage platforms that unlock economies of scale

BECCS Overtakes DAC

Bioenergy with carbon capture passed direct air capture in carbon removal project development capacity for the first time in 2025

National Funding Rounds

Germany's industrial decarbonisation programme of about €6 billion rolls out competitive support mechanisms from mid 2026

Learn More

Read the full report

For more details about CCUS policies and analysis, visit the CCUS Policy Hub.