Green transition and decarbonization: the role of CCUS projects

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies are essential for achieving global decarbonization goals, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors. Yet, comprehensive evidence on CCUS deployment remains limited. Addressing this gap, this study draws on the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s CCUS project database (1990 – 2023) complemented with hand-collected information, to analyze the geographical distribution, industrial specialization, and organizational structures of CCUS projects. Results show that North America leads in operational projects, while the EU has a growing pipeline of planned initiatives. CCUS activity is concentrated in oil and gas, agrochemicals, and materials. Organizational models such as project hubs play a key role in enabling scale and efficiency through collaboration and shared infrastructure. Despite recent growth, current project levels remain insufficient to meet 2030 climate targets, underscoring the need for stronger policy support and technological innovation.