The carbon capture revolution: how the circular economy could be our climate savior
image: Novel framework: bridging carbon capture and storage (CCS) carbon-neutrality with circular economy practices.
Credit: Pratibha Gautam*, Darshan Salunke, Divya Lad and Arun Gautam
In a pivotal advancement for environmental sustainability, a new study proposes a convergence of carbon capture and storage (CCS) with the circular economy as a powerful strategy against climate change. CCS, a technology that captures CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial sites, storing them underground to prevent atmospheric release, has shown promise in reducing greenhouse gases. However, it grapples with high costs and environmental concerns. The circular economy, known for its waste minimization and resource efficiency through recycling and product redesign, presents a complementary approach. This research reveals that integrating CCS into the circular economy could significantly enhance sustainability by using captured CO2 in chemical production, fertilizers, and other industries, aligning with circular principles of resource optimization.
This synergy not only lessens our carbon footprint but also supports the Sustainable Development Goals by tackling economic, environmental, and social issues. The integrated approach promises socio-economic benefits, including the creation of green jobs and a more resilient future. The paper delves into how CCS and the circular economy can work in tandem, showcasing their potential to foster a balanced relationship with the environment and pave a comprehensive path toward sustainable development.
This study is a wake-up call for industries and policymakers, offering a dual-pronged strategy that could revolutionize how we approach climate action and resource management. By repurposing captured CO2, we can turn a liability into an asset, supporting industries while reducing our impact on the planet.
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About Carbon Research
The journal Carbon Research is an international multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on natural and engineered carbonaceous materials that are associated with ecological and environmental functions, energy generation, and global change. It is a fully Open Access (OA) journal and the Article Publishing Charges (APC) are waived until Dec 31, 2025. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of carbon functions around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science. The journal is currently indexed by Scopus and Ei Compendex, and as of June 2025, the dynamic CiteScore value is 15.4.