Decarbonisation Technology May 2026 Issue

CCUS has the potential to revitalise industrial heartlands CCUS is not only a crucial climate technology, but an industrial opportunity capable of strengthening domestic supply chains and boosting regional economic growth

Olivia Powis Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA)

F or communities built around industry, the energy transition raises a fundamental question: how do we cut emissions without losing vital industries that produce the essential materials modern economies rely on, while also supporting local jobs and livelihoods? Across Britain’s industrial heartlands – from Scotland and Wales to Teesside, the Humber, and the North West – heavy industry has shaped local economies and national prosperity for generations. These regions powered the industrial revolution and have remained central to the UK’s growth ever since. The skills and infrastructure developed in these regions continue to underpin the UK’s industrial capabilities today. Yet many of these sectors are among the hardest to decarbonise. The challenge facing policymakers is therefore not simply environmental, but economic and social: how can the UK meet its climate commitments while safeguarding the sectors, skills, and communities that built the country’s industrial strength? Added to this is the imperative for the UK to maintain a secure, decarbonised energy system that keeps the lights on and powers industry. As the electricity system rightly evolves toward a greater share of renewable generation, the need for stable, clean, dispatchable power also becomes increasingly important. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is central to meeting these challenges. Global and domestic climate authorities are unequivocal about its importance. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Energy Agency (IEA), and the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC)

have all concluded that there is no credible route to achieving net zero without CCUS. Beyond its environmental necessity, CCUS is also a major economic opportunity. It enables continued investment in critical industries, supports the production of low-carbon goods, and strengthens the UK’s competitiveness in global markets. It can also provide clean, dispatchable power to complement renewables, while making use of the UK’s extensive CO₂ storage capacity in the North Sea. Together, “ CCUS enables continued investment in critical industries, supports the production of low-carbon goods, and strengthens the UK’s competitiveness in global markets ” these advantages position CCUS as the foundation for a strong and growing carbon management industry. From ambition to delivery The Carbon Capture and Storage Association’s (CCSA) CCUS Delivery Plan Update 2025 highlights both the scale of the opportunity and the urgency of maintaining momentum (CCSA, 2025) . Most importantly, it shows that CCUS in the UK has moved beyond theory. Five major projects have now achieved final investment decisions and have started construction, including the first two CCUS transport and storage networks. They are already supporting jobs, mobilising supply chains, and beginning to decarbonise power generation and key industries, including cement and energy-from-waste.