CCUS is an absolutely critical solution for delivering net zero emissions due to its ability to decarbonise multiple sectors:
CCUS has the ability to transform regions and nations by developing CCUS clusters – multiple industries sharing common CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. These low-carbon industrial clusters can drive down the cost of decarbonisation and transform our industries into the low-carbon industries of the future.
In the UK, these CCUS hubs will support heavy industry as the UK transitions to a net zero economy and help to retain the approximately 1.5 million jobs (direct and indirect) in steel, cement, refining, chemicals, ceramics and glass (Clean Growth – The UK Carbon Capture Usage and Storage deployment pathway, BEIS, 2018).
CCUS offers a unique opportunity to create the low-carbon industries of the future which can compete in the global low-carbon market. These industries will unlock significant economic benefits – in the UK alone, CCUS exports could support 48,000 direct high-skilled jobs and £4.3 billion in GVA per year by 2050 (Energy Innovation Needs Assessment – Sub-theme report: Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage, BEIS, 2019).