A recent report reveals a concerning trend: Asian nations’ increasing embrace of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, intended to curb fossil fuel emissions, might paradoxically unleash an additional 25 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 2050. This potential surge in emissions poses a severe threat to the objectives of the Paris Agreement and could leave these economies vulnerable to significant long-term risks.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources like power plants, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then stored deep underground in suitable geological formations.
This critical study, conducted by Climate Analytics—a renowned global institute focused on climate science and policy—examined the current and planned CCS initiatives across a diverse group of Asian countries. These nations, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia, collectively contribute to over half of the world’s fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making their energy choices globally impactful.
The report underscores that emissions from numerous Asian economies, particularly fast-growing developing nations in South and Southeast Asia, including India, are not showing immediate signs of peaking or declining quickly. This trajectory is deeply concerning, as these regions urgently need to reach this critical turning point for global climate action.
While major Asian emitters like China and India operate somewhat independently of the CCS developments seen in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Australia, their future energy decisions will ultimately be pivotal for global climate action. China already boasts the second-largest CCS project pipeline in Asia, trailing only Australia, whereas India’s engagement in this sector remains minimal. This context is important as India prepares to submit its updated carbon-reduction targets around the beginning of COP30, scheduled for November 10.
The report highlights that India, a significant global producer of steel and cement—industries often termed ‘hard-to-abate’ due to their high emissions—might be tempted to increase its reliance on CCS. However, the study points out that more cost-effective and less risky alternatives are readily available to tackle industrial emissions, including expanding renewable energy, promoting electrification, and investing in green hydrogen technologies.
The report specifically warns that while China and India, as leading regional emitters, currently have less defined CCS strategies, a decisive shift towards greater dependence on this technology could lead to catastrophic climate outcomes. Although China already has a substantial CCS footprint, it also leads in deploying zero-emission technologies, presenting a critical fork in the road for its climate future.
The study further projects significant growth in India’s industrial sector. The nation is currently the world’s second-largest consumer of steel, with an anticipated annual demand increase of 6.3% between 2025 and 2030. Similarly, cement consumption across India and other South Asian countries is expected to surge by over 40% from 2025 to 2035, emphasizing the urgency of sustainable decarbonization.
Critically, the report cautions against the consistent underperformance of CCS projects globally. Instead of the industry-advertised 90-95% capture rates, actual performance often hovers closer to 50%. Furthermore, implementing CCS in the power sector could double electricity costs compared to renewable energy solutions bolstered by energy storage, highlighting a significant economic disadvantage.
Regionally, several countries are heavily investing in CCS: Japan and South Korea offer significant financial and policy backing, while Australia and various Southeast Asian nations aspire to become major carbon storage hubs. China has also started endorsing new CCS projects as part of its 2023 Plan for Green and Low-Carbon Technology Demonstration. It’s important to note that India’s burgeoning clean energy sector also requires substantial climate finance expansion to meet its ambitious goals, further underscoring the need for strategic investment in truly sustainable solutions.
James Bowen, the lead author of the report, expressed grave concerns: "There’s a strong possibility that Asian countries might escalate their support for CCS up to 2050. This path risks locking in unabated fossil fuel use, leading to massive stranded asset costs, and critically jeopardizing the world’s ability to achieve the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit."
Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, emphasized the region’s precarious position: "Asia stands at a critical juncture. While these nations haven’t fully committed to an aggressive CCS pathway, many have nonetheless shaped their policies to safeguard their fossil fuel industries, particularly in Japan, South Korea, and Australia. This constitutes an extremely risky strategy, not only for fulfilling the Paris Agreement’s goals but also for the long-term economic stability of these countries themselves."
The report strongly advocates for a "deliberate low-CCS pathway," urging Asian nations to prioritize the expansion of renewable energy, widespread electrification, and improved energy efficiency. This approach, the study concludes, represents a significantly more cost-effective and climate-compatible strategy for the entire region.