It’s Time to End Carbon Capture

This statement, published by the Center for International Environmental Law and signed by numerous organizations, argues that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a 'dangerous distraction' and not a viable climate solution. The document calls on United States and Canadian policymakers to stop subsidizing and permitting CCS, asserting that the technology is economically unviable for heavy industry, increases pollution for frontline communities, and primarily benefits the fossil fuel industry through enhanced oil recovery.

• The document asserts that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an ineffective climate solution that has failed to significantly reduce CO2 emissions despite receiving billions in taxpayer funding.
• CCS is described as unnecessary because renewable energy sources, specifically wind and solar, are cleaner and more cost-effective than fossil fuels, whereas CCS increases the cost and energy intensity of dirty energy.
• The deployment of CCS is deemed economically unviable for most heavy-emitting industries, such as chemical or plastic manufacturing, and is seen as a diversion of resources from scalable alternatives like renewable energy and the reuse of inputs.
• CCS infrastructure poses health and environmental risks to frontline communities, particularly Black, Brown, Indigenous, and low-income populations, through potential pipeline leaks, ruptures, and water contamination.
• The use of CCS technology can lead to higher emissions of toxic pollutants, such as fine particulates (PM2.5), because facilities must burn more fossil fuel to maintain the same energy output.
• The document claims that CCS primarily serves the interests of polluters, noting that nearly 80% of captured carbon is utilized for 'enhanced oil recovery' to extract more oil.
• The authors advocate for a transition away from fossil fuels entirely, suggesting that public funds be redirected toward energy efficiency, non-combustion renewables, and the protection of natural carbon-capturing ecosystems.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). It’s Time to End Carbon Capture. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Ad_The-Washington-Post_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. It’s Time to End Carbon Capture. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Ad_The-Washington-Post_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=It’s Time to End Carbon Capture |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Ad_The-Washington-Post_FINAL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndits, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{It’s Time to End Carbon Capture}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Ad_The-Washington-Post_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }