The Global Development, Challenges, and Prospects of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Technology

Abstract

Against the backdrop of intensifying global climate change and the deepening advancement of carbon neutrality strategies, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has emerged as a critical deep decarbonization approach, increasingly capturing the attention of the international community. This paper systematically reviews the current development status of the entire CCUS technology chain, covering the classification and maturity levels of technologies across capture, transportation, utilization, and storage segments. Drawing on international exemplary projects and China’s development practices, this analysis examines the multifaceted challenges hindering the large-scale application of CCUS, including economic costs, environmental risks, and policy mechanisms. Although the CCUS technology pathway is gradually becoming clearer and its application scale is expanding, core issues such as high energy consumption and costs, insufficient system integration, and an incomplete institutional framework still need to be overcome. Finally, this paper proposes a technology roadmap centered on reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency, along with policy recommendations involving carbon market mechanisms and cross-regional cooperation. These suggestions provide a theoretical reference and decisionmaking basis for advancing CCUS commercialization and supporting carbon neutrality goals.