What is carbon capture utilisation and storage?
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is a value chain of technologies that removes carbon emissions from sources such as industrial or power generation facilities. Carbon can also be removed directly from the atmosphere, using ‘carbon dioxide removal’ (CDR) technologies and are related to CCUS.
CCUS is a value chain of technologies that:
- capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from burning fuels or carbon generated from industrial activities
- transport captured carbon dioxide via pipelines, trucks, trains or ships to places where the carbon can be:
- used to make products; or
- stored permanently underground.
The role of CCUS in Western Australia
Show moreCarbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies will play an important role in Western Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050 by:
- Decarbonising and reducing emissions from our existing industries.
- Supporting the development of new low-carbon industries.
- Enabling the removal of carbon directly from the atmosphere.
In the short to medium term, CCUS will play a key role in the gas sector, which will be needed for the transition to renewable energy sources. In the longer term, the most important role for CCUS will be in applications in other hard-to-abate and low-carbon industries and in removing carbon directly from the atmosphere.
Developing a world leading CCUS industry in Western Australia presents two key strategic opportunities:
- Supporting the transition to net zero.
- Supporting economic diversification through the development of new low carbon industries.
Supporting the transition to net zero
Show moreThe Western Australian Government is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and recognises its role in supporting the global clean energy transition.
To reach net zero emissions by 2050, there will be an important role for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) in the decarbonisation mix among a suite of low emissions technologies.
In Western Australia, CCUS will be a critical tool to support the decarbonisation of our hard-to-abate heavy industries that face challenges such as relatively high emissions, high costs to reduce emissions, and a lack of viable low emissions technologies.
Heavy industry is a major part of the Western Australian economy and will need to significantly lower its carbon emissions to remain globally competitive and continue to support economic growth into the future.
In the short to medium term, CCUS will play a key role in the gas sector, but in the longer term will shift towards applications in other hard to abate and low-carbon industries and in removing carbon directly from the atmosphere.
To learn more about WA’s energy transition and journey to net zero visit This is climate action Western Australia
Supporting economic diversification and the development of new low-carbon industries
Show moreThe global energy transition is an opportunity for Western Australia to grow the State’s economy and create and sustain new high-value jobs for the future.
CCUS is an important economic opportunity for the State. The Western Australian Government has already recognised CCUS as a key economic diversification opportunity in Future State: Accelerating Diversify WA.
This is in light of our ability to leverage our highly skilled workforce, existing infrastructure, suitable geological formations, and globally recognised energy ecosystem.
Advancing CCUS will help to sustain and create jobs in our key industry sectors through the growth of low‑carbon industries that use gas as a feedstock, the development of a carbon service industry and supporting innovation in technology aligned to the State’s advantages, such as mineral carbonation.
