Carbon Capture Breakthroughs: A Global Effort to Reverse Climate Change

By Kimberly Martinez

Climate change is accelerating, and cutting emissions alone may not be enough to meet global climate goals. Scientists warn that we must also remove carbon dioxide (CO²) from the atmosphere at a massive scale. In fact, U.N. Climate experts estimate that billions of tons of CO² must be pulled from the air every year to limit global warming to 1.5°C or to 34.7°F. This imperative has spurred a whole wide race to develop carbon capture technologies – methods to capture CO² from power plants, industrial facilities, or directly from ambient air, and securely store it underground or use it. In recent years, a new wave of technological breakthroughs and major policy initiatives, particularly in the United States, have energized global efforts in carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a strategy to help reverse climate change.

Breakthrough in Carbon Capture Technology

Carbon capture has evolved rapidly, with recent breakthroughs accelerating its efficiency and affordability. Researchers are developing advanced materials like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), sponge-like crystals with enormous surface area, that can absorb CO² more selectively and in greater quantities than earlier technologies. Such material innovations promise to boost capture rates and lower costs, addressing common concerns about energy use and expense, Engineering improvements are also scaling up Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems which pull CO² from ambient air. For example, just a few years ago, DAC was done in lab flasks, but today multiple companies are running pilot plants capturing tons of CO², aiming for megaton scale capture within this decade. Importantly, real-world CCS projects have demonstrated significant cost reductions through learning-by-doing. In Canada, the Quest CCS facility in Alberta has captured over 5 million tonnes of CO² in under five years, and reduced operating costs by about 35% compared to initial estimates. These kinds of breakthroughs, from better CO² sorbents to improved engineering and economies of scale, are building confidence that carbon capture can become a practical climate solution.

Policy and Innovation Driving Carbon Capture

The United States has emerged as a leader in spurring carbon capture, thanks to a combination of technological innovation and powerful new policy support. From 2021 to 2022, landmark legislation poured unprecedented funding into climate technology. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) together dedicated nearly $17 billion to carbon removal and capture initiatives. The IRA, in particular, supercharged incentives by sharply increasing the value of the federal carbon capture tax credit. A project that safely stores captured CO² now earns $85 per ton of CO² (up from $50 before), and direct air capture projects earn up to $180 per ton- a dramatic boost to make carbon removal financially viable.

One notable project is Occidental Petroleum’s “Stratos” DAC facility in Texas. InApril 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved permits for this facility to inject and store CO² underground, marking a significant milestone in U.S. carbon sequestration efforts. Stratos aims to capture up to 500,000 metric tons of CO² annually, with plans to commence operations later this year. Additionally, the Department of Energy has committed $3.5 billion to establish four regional DAC hubs, each designed to capture at least 1 million metric tons of CO² annually. These hubs are expected to play a crucial role in scaling up carbon removal technologies nationwide.

Global Perspectives: Norway, Canada, China

Internationally, several countries are making noteworthy progress in CCS:

• Norway: The Northern Lights Project, operational since September 2024, is the world’s first open-access CO² transport and storage network. It currently has the capacity to store 1.5 million tons of CO² annually, with plans to expand to 5 million tons as demand increases. The project has already secured agreements with industrial clients across europe, exemplifying international collaboration in carbon storage.

• Canada: Canada’s CCS landscape is characterized by a combination of government incentives and industry participation. The Quest CCS facility in Alberta has successfully captured and stored over 5 million tons of CO² since its inception. Canada’s federal investment tax credit covers up to 60% of capital costs for DAC projects, encouraging further development in this sector.

• China: As the world’s largest CO² emitter, China has recognized the importance of CCS in its climate strategy. The government has integrated CCS into its Five-Year Plans, and has initiated several large-scale projects. Notably, Sinopec’s megaton scale CCS project aims to capture and store substantial CO² volumes, contributing to China’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.

  
  

Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite these advancements, CCS technologies face challenges, including high operational costs and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. Public acceptance and environmental concerns, such as potential groundwater contamination, also pose hurdles to widespread adoption. To overcome these challenges, continued investment in research and development is essential. Policies that provide financial incentives coupled with transparent communication about the safety and efficacy of CCS can foster public trust and accelerate deployment.

Carbon capture and storage technologies are integral to global efforts to mitigate climate change. The United States, through significant policy support and innovative projects, is at the forefront of this movement. By learning from international counterparts and addressing existing challenges, CCS can become a cornerstone of achieving a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.

Citations

Climate Action Tracker. (2024, September 7). Policies & action. Climate Action Tracker. https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china/

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International Energy Agency. (2022, November 17). Inflation Reduction Act 2022: Sec. 13104 Extension and Modification of credit for carbon oxide sequestration – policies. IEA. https://www.iea.org/policies/16255-inflation-reduction-act-2022-sec-13104-extension-and-modification-of-credit-for-carbon-oxide-sequestration

Oil & Gas Journal. (2025, March 27). Equinor, Shell, TotalEnergies take FID on Northern Lights CCS expansion. Oil & Gas Journal. https://www.ogj.com/energy-transition/article/55277868/equinor-shell-totalenergies-take-fid-on-northern-lights-ccs-expansion

Volcovici, V. (2023, August 11). US awards $1.2 billion to Oxy, Climeworks-led carbon air capture hubs. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-awards-12-bln-oxy-climeworks-led-carbon-air-capture-hubs-2023-08-11/

World Resources Institute. (2022, December 22). Carbon removal in the bipartisan infrastructure law and inflation reduction act. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/update/carbon-removal-BIL-IRA