Can Carbon Capture Technology Help Fight Climate Change?

As climate change accelerates and global emissions continue to rise, one question stands out: can technology help us reverse—or at least contain—the damage? Among the most talked-about solutions is Carbon Capture Technology (CCT), a method designed to trap carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions at their source or remove them directly from the atmosphere. While its promise is immense, so are its limitations. Let’s explore whether carbon capture is a genuine climate solution or merely a technological stopgap.

What Is Carbon Capture Technology?

Carbon Capture Technology refers to various methods used to capture carbon dioxide emissions, either before they enter the atmosphere (point-source capture) or after (direct air capture). These emissions are then stored underground in geological formations or used in industrial processes, such as enhanced oil recovery or carbonated beverages.

The core idea is straightforward: if we can’t stop all emissions, we should at least trap and contain them.

Types of Carbon Capture

Pre-Combustion Capture – CO₂ is removed before fossil fuels are burned.
Post-Combustion Capture – CO₂ is captured after combustion, often at power plants or industrial facilities.
Direct Air Capture (DAC) – Machines extract CO₂ directly from ambient air.
Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) – Biomass is burned for energy, and emissions are captured, potentially achieving negative emissions.

The Potential Benefits

Decarbonizing Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Industries like cement, steel, and chemicals are difficult to electrify or transition to renewable energy. Carbon capture allows them to reduce emissions significantly.
Negative Emissions: Technologies like DAC and BECCS can help remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, not just prevent new emissions.
Bridge to Renewables: CCT can serve as a transitional tool while the world scales up renewable energy infrastructure.

Illustration of carbon capture technology capturing and storing industrial CO₂ emissions to combat climate change. — Illustration of carbon capture technology at work, showing industrial facilities extracting CO₂ and storing it underground to reduce atmospheric emissions.
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The Limitations and Risks

High Cost: Carbon capture remains expensive. Direct Air Capture, in particular, costs hundreds of dollars per ton of CO₂ removed.
Energy Intensive: Capturing and storing CO₂ requires a lot of energy, which, if sourced from fossil fuels, may defeat the purpose.
Storage Concerns: Long-term storage is still unproven at scale. Leakage from underground storage could undermine climate goals.
Moral Hazard: There’s concern that the promise of carbon capture could delay meaningful emission reductions and policy reforms.

What the Science Says

According to the IPCC, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will likely require some level of carbon removal, especially to counterbalance emissions from sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. However, the panel is clear: carbon capture is not a substitute for emissions reductions. It’s a complement—not a replacement—for broader systemic change

Real-World Examples

Climeworks (Switzerland): Operates one of the world’s leading DAC facilities.
Carbon Engineering (Canada): Pioneering large-scale DAC projects with oil companies.
Norway’s Northern Lights Project: Developing a full-chain CCS infrastructure in Europe.

So, Can It Help?

Yes—but only as part of a broader climate strategy. Carbon capture alone won’t solve climate change. It needs to be paired with rapid decarbonization, global energy transitions, and sustainable consumption patterns. Used responsibly, it can serve as a critical tool in our climate toolbox. But relying on it too heavily without addressing root causes of emissions risks locking us into a high-carbon future.