Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical system solution for achieving net‑zero emissions where direct electrification or fuel switching is constrained. For many industrial processes, emissions are driven by chemistry, asset lifetimes and infrastructure lock‑in, making CCS essential alongside rapid deployment of renewables, electrification and efficiency. WBCSD works with companies across value chains to strengthen the conditions for credible, scalable and responsible CCS deployment as part of a balanced net‑zero transition.
The challenge
While CCS technologies are proven and operating today, deployment at the scale required for net zero remains limited. Companies face fragmented value chains, high capital requirements, unclear investment signals, evolving policy and accounting frameworks, and persistent misconceptions about the role and integrity of CCS. In many regions, access to shared CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure is uncertain, limiting companies’ ability to plan, invest and take action with confidence.
The business case
As carbon intensity increasingly shapes access to markets, finance and customers, CCS can help companies remain competitive in globally traded, emissions‑intensive value chains. A growing number of jurisdictions are linking trade, procurement and disclosure requirements to verified emissions performance through carbon pricing, product standards and border measures. In this context, CCS enables companies to maintain export positions, protect trade relationships and supply low‑carbon products where process emissions cannot be fully eliminated, supporting competitiveness in a rapidly transitioning global economy.
The solution
WBCSD’s work on carbon capture and storage focuses on system‑level change. We convene companies across the CCS value chain to build shared understanding, address misconceptions and strengthen trust in the role of CCS in net‑zero pathways. By focusing on policy, finance, accounting and infrastructure development, and action across sectors and regions, WBCSD helps members move from project‑by‑project deployment toward scalable, interoperable CCS systems that deliver real emissions reductions and long‑term value.
