What to do with the increasing amounts of carbon we capture
230 million tons of CO₂ are currently captured and utilized annually. "As the energy transition picks up pace, more of the carbon we capture could be put to good use", writes David Wakerley of Dioxycle on the WEF blog.

As the global push for net-zero emissions accelerates, the role of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is becoming increasingly significant. Currently, about 230 million tons of CO₂ are captured and utilized annually, a fraction of the 50 billion tons of CO₂ equivalents emitted each year. However, projections by the International Energy Agency suggest a dramatic increase, with up to 6 billion tons of CO₂ captured annually by 2050. This raises an essential question: How can we effectively utilize this captured carbon?
The Potential of CCU Technologies
CCU aims to transform CO₂ emissions into valuable products, offering both economic and environmental benefits. While some applications, like enhanced oil recovery and fertilizer production, are already in use, the real challenge lies in scaling technologies to match the growing quantities of captured carbon.
Key sectors where CCU could make a significant impact include:
- Cement: Cement production is both a major source of emissions and a promising application for CCU. Cement naturally absorbs CO₂ during its lifecycle, forming calcium carbonate that strengthens the material. With optimized processes, up to 30% of the emissions from cement production could be reabsorbed, creating carbon-negative construction materials in the future.
- Ethylene: Ethylene, a cornerstone of countless products such as plastics and textiles, presents a high potential for CCU. By producing ethylene from CO₂ rather than traditional steam cracking, industries could drastically reduce emissions. While these technologies are still maturing, they could decarbonize vast swathes of the manufacturing sector.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Aviation remains heavily reliant on liquid fuels, making CCU-derived jet fuel a critical pathway. Though current production costs are high, advances in renewable energy and CCU technology could make sustainable aviation fuels more competitive, enabling fossil-fuel-free flights.
A Future Beyond Carbon Storage
If implemented effectively, CCU could turn captured carbon into a resource rather than a liability. By focusing on products like cement, ethylene, and SAF—alongside others such as methanol and propylene—our captured CO₂ could meet the demands of a growing global economy. Projections suggest that by 2050, the demand for CCU-derived commodities could outpace even the most ambitious carbon capture targets, reducing the need for underground storage.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its potential, CCU faces significant hurdles. Chief among them is the cost of renewable energy, which is essential for scaling CCU technologies. However, with over 5,500 GW of clean energy capacity planned for installation by 2030, the future of CCU as a key component of the circular carbon economy looks promising. By embracing CCU, we can transform how we think about emissions—not just as a problem to be solved but as an opportunity to build a sustainable future.
Source: WEF