Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in the context of earth energy systems: A multidisciplinary review

Abstract

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) has emerged as a critical technology for achieving global climate goals by enabling substantial reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial and energy systems. This multidisciplinary review provides a comprehensive assessment of CCUS technologies, their integration with earth energy systems, and their broader economic, environmental, and societal implications. It begins by detailing the fundamentals of CO₂ capture, utilization, and geological storage, followed by an in-depth analysis of engineering infrastructure and geoscientific factors that underpin secure and efficient deployment. The review also examines how CCUS can be synergistically coupled with renewable and low-carbon technologies such as blue hydrogen, bioenergy, and geothermal systems to enhance sustainability and economic viability. In the policy and economic context, the study explores cost drivers, financing mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, market incentives, and deployment strategies, identifying both progress and persistent gaps. Furthermore, the environmental and societal impacts of CCUS are critically evaluated, with a focus on long-term storage risks, ecosystem concerns, and public acceptance challenges. A global overview of CCUS initiatives highlights regional progress, collaborative efforts, and the increasing momentum toward cluster-based infrastructure models. The article concludes by identifying key challenges—technical, regulatory, and social—and outlines future directions for innovation, policy harmonization, and global coordination. By synthesizing insights from geosciences, engineering, economics, and policy, this review underscores the pivotal role of CCUS as an enabling technology for a just and effective energy transition. It provides strategic guidance for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders working to scale CCUS in alignment with net-zero targets and sustainable development goals (SDGs).