Carbon Capture: From Oil Industry Tool to EU’s Climate Strategy

Carbon Capture Becomes Central to EU’s Climate Plans
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is gaining prominence as a central strategy in Europe’s climate agenda. Initially designed in the 1970s for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), where CO2 was injected into oil fields to extract more oil, CCS has now evolved into a key player in global efforts to mitigate climate change. However, the technology’s effectiveness remains a contentious topic, with critics arguing it may delay real climate action by shifting focus away from reducing emissions directly at the source.

The technology involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from major industrial sources before it can be released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then stored underground in geological formations, including depleted oil fields or deep saline aquifers. Though CCS is seen as a necessary tool for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, its actual role in meeting global climate targets is debated, particularly given its current limited scale and unproven long-term effectiveness.

Lobbying and Industrial Push: Fossil Fuel Interests Propel CCS Forward
CCS has gained momentum largely due to lobbying efforts from the fossil fuel industry. The sector sees CCS as a way to maintain its operations while simultaneously addressing emissions concerns. Fossil fuel interests have successfully integrated CCS into the European Union’s Industrial Carbon Management Strategy, a plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the industry. They also secured CCS’s prominent role in the EU Green Deal, which focuses on climate neutrality and net-zero emissions.

The role of CCS in Europe is driven by the broader push toward ‘net’ emissions reductions, where carbon emissions are balanced by an equal amount of CO2 removed or offset. This shift has led to the expansion of CCS projects across Europe, with the EU aiming to capture 450 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2050. This goal is ambitious, considering the current capacity is just 1 million tonnes annually.

CCS: A Controversial Solution to Emissions Reduction
Despite being endorsed by various policymakers, the effectiveness of CCS remains questionable. Advocates for immediate action on climate change argue that focusing on CCS diverts attention from the need to reduce emissions at the source, particularly in high-emission industries such as cement, steel, and energy. Critics, including experts from environmental organizations, view CCS as a “delay tactic” that allows industries to continue emitting greenhouse gases without making the fundamental changes required for long-term sustainability.

At present, the technology is responsible for capturing only 0.1% of global CO2 emissions, despite efforts to scale it up. Industry experts and environmentalists alike stress that CCS cannot be relied upon as the sole solution to climate change. They argue that the focus must remain on renewable energy technologies and direct emission reductions rather than waiting for CCS to reach the scale necessary to make a significant impact.

Challenges in Scaling CCS and Public Perception
The scale-up of CCS faces significant hurdles. The infrastructure needed to support large-scale CCS projects is massive, requiring extensive pipelines to transport CO2 and vast underground storage sites. Public acceptance is also a major challenge, as many communities are wary of large-scale CO2 storage projects, particularly in their local areas. Environmental groups argue that CCS is being marketed as a “clean” solution without addressing the fundamental risks of long-term CO2 storage and the vast infrastructure needs.

Public awareness of CCS remains low, and the industry is working to improve its image. The EU’s Industrial Carbon Management Strategy includes initiatives to increase public understanding and support for CCS projects. However, many critics remain unconvinced, viewing these efforts as a PR campaign to secure more funding for an unproven technology.

EU Strategy: The Push for Increased Investment and Infrastructure
In response to competition from countries like the United States, which significantly boosted CCS funding through its Inflation Reduction Act, the EU is planning a massive expansion of CCS infrastructure. The EU’s goal of capturing 450 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050 requires a large-scale expansion of transport and storage infrastructure, as well as public and private investment. The EU is increasingly focusing on CCS as part of its strategy to maintain industrial competitiveness and meet long-term climate targets.

The revival of CCS within the EU is also linked to the increasing reliance on hydrogen as an alternative energy source. Hydrogen production from fossil fuels often involves carbon capture, further entrenching the role of CCS in Europe’s industrial decarbonization plans. Although hydrogen production using CCS (blue hydrogen) is touted as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels, experts caution that its environmental benefits depend on the success of CCS technologies.

Net Zero Strategy: The Future of Carbon Capture
As the EU continues its push for net-zero emissions by 2050, CCS is seen as a necessary but limited tool in the broader portfolio of solutions. Experts argue that renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal should take precedence, while CCS is only one piece of the puzzle. Nevertheless, it is clear that the technology will play a role in achieving Europe’s ambitious climate targets, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors.