How carbon capture can help mitigate climate change

Faced with the challenge of climate change, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology has emerged as a robust tool to reduce carbon emissions in industries where they cannot yet be avoided, or those still in the process of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Valued at $3.28 billion in 2022, the CCS market is experiencing rapid growth, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 6.2% from 2023 to 2030. 

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2023, we are currently experiencing a “climate action hiatus” — the international system has struggled to make the required progress on cutting emissions to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C. But, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that cutting emissions alone won’t get us to net zero by 2050. Accelerating carbon capture and storage alongside those efforts could be key. 

Let’s take a look at how CCS solutions can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction and sustainable energy practices – all while creating even more job opportunities for specialists in the sector. 
 

CCS is a collection of technologies designed to mitigate climate change by capturing carbon dioxide from fossil fuel emissions to be securely stored, preventing its atmospheric release. 

The carbon capture process involves three primary steps: capture, transport, and storage. 

Capture: This initial phase is the separation of CO2 from other gases emitted during industrial activities, like power generation from coal and natural gas, or manufacturing in steel or cement plants. This may be done post-combustion through scrubbing, pre-combustion through synthetic gasification (via partial burning, which also produces hydrogen), or via oxyfuel combustion, where the fuel is burned in pure oxygen. 

Transport: Once captured, the CO2 is compressed to a near-liquid state called “supercritical” CO2 to facilitate its transportation. It’s then conveyed to storage locations using pipelines, and in some cases, by road or sea when pipelines are not feasible. 

Storage: In the final stage, the compressed CO2 is securely injected into geological formations deep underground, often several kilometers below the Earth's surface. These rock formations are carefully selected for their ability to contain the CO2 securely and indefinitely, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere. 

If executed effectively, CCS could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 14% by 2050, according to a recent study by the Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions. The technology holds great promise, but CCS still needs to make huge progress in terms of scale. Globally, only 0.1% of carbon dioxide was captured in 2022. A report by McKinsey found that global uptake of carbon capture technologies must expand 120 times from current levels by 2050 to meet net zero targets. 

1. Mitigating climate change now

Pairing CCS with high-emissions sectors helps reduce today’s emissions, while cleaner technologies are developed and implemented. The R&D is already paying off; direct air capture technologies, such as the Climeworks Orca facility in Iceland, show promise in sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and could be co-located with various industries.

2. Job creation

Implementing CCS solutions that are aligned with the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) recommendations could create 100,000 construction jobs and 40,000 long-term operator jobs by 2050, the Global CCS Institute estimates. Brunel, a specialist in workforce solutions, is one of the key providers of talent in this sector.

3. Facilitating the energy transition

Pairing CCS with fossil fuel infrastructure aids countries transitioning to renewables, gradually phasing out older facilities as new systems emerge. CCS when combined with natural gas or hydrogen generation strengthens investment in both systems, as it allows for the efficient use of natural gas as a low-emission transition fuel and supports the growth of hydrogen energy infrastructure for green hydrogen. 

The number of CCS projects being proposed or underdevelopment is expected to reach over 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030. At the forefront of this stands Brunel, whose commitment to sustainability has propelled several major carbon capture initiatives forward. 

 

Aramis and Porthos 

The Netherlands aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. CCS projects like Aramis and Porthos focus on capturing and storing CO2 to help meet these goals.

These two endeavours, stategically located at the Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, will facilitate the transport and storage of CO2 to depleted gas fields under the North Sea, offering a decarbonisation strategy for industrial sectors. 

Brunel has supplied Aramis and Porthos with a diverse range of skilled professionals, including engineers, scientists, and project managers, all with expertise in carbon capture technologies. Currently, over 40 Brunel specialists are working on carbon capture projects in the Netherlands.
 

Project Bifrost

The DUC Harald field in the Danish North Sea is poised to become a key hub for CO2 management. It will launch a transport and storage system with an annual capacity of three million metric tonnes of CO2. Project Bifrost aims to integrate into a broader European CO2 transport network, promoting cost-effective and environmentally friendly carbon management across borders. To support this ambitious project, Brunel has been contracted to manage project oversight, controls, inspection services, and commissioning throughout the execution phase, ensuring compliance with health, safety, environment (HSE) standards, and quality requirements. 
 

Gulf Coast CCS project

The Gulf Coast H2 & CCS project, based in Sharjah and Port Khalifa in the UAE, focuses on building a facility that uses auto-thermal reforming with carbon capture and a large air separation plant. This will be integrated into the Gulf Coast industrial gas infrastructure to supply clean hydrogen and nitrogen for a blue ammonia facility in Beaumont, Texas, which is expected to produce 1.1 million tonnes of blue ammonia annually. 

Brunel has been awarded the contract to provide essential services throughout the project’s engineering and execution phases. These services include project engineering, site management, inspection, health and safety (HSE), quality control (QA/QC), and commissioning. Brunel has also deployed a team of over 35 technical specialists to ensure the project meets its technical needs at the highest standards.
 

Ongoing improvements in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, along with global efforts to apply them, offer a promising way to fight climate change by capturing emissions at their source and lowering CO2 levels in the atmosphere. However, it’s important to support CCS alongside other decarbonisation efforts to help create a cleaner future.

If you’re looking for a job in CCS, Brunel should be your first point of call. We help jobseekers find roles in nearly 40 countries across diverse sectors. With 45 years of experience and around 12,000 specialists employed, we recruit for thousands of inspiring companies worldwide.

Brunel’s strength lies in quickly placing skilled staff with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors, allowing for direct collaboration and improving communication. We offer expert talent during crucial project phases, ensuring the right skills are in place. And with climate change challenges ahead, our work is vital in supporting a more sustainable future.