Carbon capture is not a climate solution

The document asserts that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a "dangerous distraction" that prolongs fossil fuel reliance and poses severe risks to marginalized communities. It argues that CCS is economically unsound, fails to meaningfully reduce emissions, and is often used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to increase oil production. The authors call for the removal of government subsidies, such as the U.S. 45Q tax credit, and a shift toward sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy.

• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is described as a "dangerous distraction" that delays the transition from fossil fuels and creates new environmental, health, and safety risks, particularly for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.
• The buildout of CCS infrastructure involves hazardous pipelines and underground storage that can lead to CO2 leaks, human and animal asphyxiation, drinking water contamination, and seismic activity.
• A significant portion of captured carbon is used for "enhanced oil recovery" (EOR), which the document claims increases oil extraction and subsequent carbon emissions.
• The document argues that CCS is economically unfeasible because it makes power plants more expensive and energy-intensive, especially as the costs of wind and solar energy decrease.
• CCS is criticized for failing to deliver promised emissions reductions and for relying on the "scientifically discredited premise" that burning biomass is carbon neutral in the case of BECCS.
• The authors highlight a lack of scientific backing for "permanent" storage, noting that U.S. federal regulations only require CO2 storage for 50 years, while CO2 persists for hundreds or thousands of years.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2021). Carbon capture is not a climate solution. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Letter_FINAL_US-1.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Carbon capture is not a climate solution. 2021. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Letter_FINAL_US-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Carbon capture is not a climate solution |date=19 July 2021 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Letter_FINAL_US-1.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2021carbon, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Carbon capture is not a climate solution}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2021}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CCS-Letter_FINAL_US-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }