Closing the loop: Carbon capture meets circular economy for climate solutions

A new study led by researchers from India and Ireland offers a comprehensive roadmap for integrating carbon capture and storage technologies within the circular economy, unlocking new opportunities to tackle climate change while advancing sustainable development goals.

Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial sources remain a leading driver of global warming, with atmospheric concentrations reaching record highs in recent years. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a technology designed to prevent emissions from entering the atmosphere by capturing CO2 at the source and storing it securely underground or repurposing it for industry. While CCS offers substantial potential for reducing greenhouse gases, its widespread adoption faces challenges, including high costs, technical hurdles, and concerns about long-term environmental impacts.

The circular economy model shifts away from the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ method of manufacturing toward a system where waste is minimized and resources are reused and recycled. By integrating CCS within this framework, the study highlights how captured carbon dioxide can be transformed into valuable products such as chemicals, construction materials, or even synthetic fuels, facilitating resource efficiency and reducing reliance on fresh raw materials.

“We find that combining CCS with circular economic strategies creates a multiplier effect for sustainability,” said lead author Dr. Pratibha Gautam of SRICT, UPL University of Sustainable Technology in India. “Not only do we reduce emissions, but we also generate economic value, green jobs, and resilience for industries and communities.”

Key findings suggest that CCS can be paired with renewable energy to lower its overall carbon footprint, and the captured CO2 can be used to produce fertilizers, bio-based plastics, and other essential goods. Geological storage, ocean storage, and mineral carbonation are examined as durable solutions for CO2 management, each with its own advantages and challenges. For example, mineral carbonation transforms CO2 into stable solids used in construction, offering permanent sequestration while supporting circular resource flows.

The team emphasizes that policy action, government incentives, and public awareness campaigns are critical for scaling these solutions. Regulatory frameworks and cross-sector collaboration will help overcome barriers and maximize the positive impact on climate targets.

By bridging the gap between technological innovation and sustainable practices, the research provides actionable guidance for policymakers, industry leaders, and communities aiming to chart a path toward a carbon-neutral future. The study underscores that the circular economy, bolstered by carbon capture, can support economic growth, improve public health, and help achieve a suite of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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Journal reference: Gautam, P., Salunke, D., Lad, D. et al. Convergent synergy of carbon capture within the circular economy paradigm: a nexus for realizing multifaceted sustainable development goals. Carbon Res. 4, 3 (2025).   https://doi.org/10.1007/s44246-024-00178-1  

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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.

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