Carbon emissions accelerate global warming and raise the risk of climate-related disasters. Carbon dioxide is the most common of all greenhouse gas emissions, especially from heavy industry and power generation. One way to limit this damage is to capture carbon emissions. Once captured, the carbon dioxide can be reused, stored deep underground, or even embedded in materials like concrete.
Carbon capture is no longer an idea on the horizon. It is becoming a real part of the climate solution playbook and a growing investment theme. Governments are ramping up support for carbon capture investment to meet aggressive climate targets.
#How Big Is the Carbon Capture Industry?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) methods are being developed by both major corporations and niche start-ups. ExxonMobil (NYSE: XOM) now projects that CCS could become a $4 trillion market by 2050, according to public estimates released in 2024. As of early 2025, the global carbon capture market is already approaching $10 billion and is projected to exceed $80 billion by 2037, with annual growth close to 20%. The Inflation Reduction Act has sparked renewed interest in carbon capture investment across the energy sector.
Once captured, CO2 is compressed and transported by pipeline, ship, rail, or truck. From there, it is either reused or stored in deep geological formations. Each storage site is selected based on safety, capacity, and proximity to emitters. These include depleted oil and gas fields, saline aquifers, unmineable coal seams, basalt rock, or shale basins. This type of geological storage is considered one of the safest long-term methods for containing CO₂.
Still, the industry is not without controversy. Many scientists, climate campaigners, and activists continue to question whether CCS technology can deliver the scale of emissions reduction needed to reach net-zero goals.
#What Are The Problems With Carbon Capture?
CCS can reduce emissions, but critics argue it may give polluters a license to keep burning fossil fuels. Instead of accelerating the shift to renewables, it could delay it. Investigations have revealed that some major oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Shell, have internally questioned the practicality and efficiency of CCS, despite publicly promoting it as a climate solution.
Coal use in Asia remains widespread, especially in countries like China and India. Coal-fired plants are a top source of CO2 globally. Some producers promote "clean coal" through CCS and advanced combustion technologies, but these are expensive and unproven at scale.
The Center for International Environmental Law maintains its stance from previous years. The group points to the limited track record of CCS and the billions in subsidies already spent. It says the technology still faces steep barriers in cost, effectiveness, and long-term viability.
The oil and gas industry takes a different view. Shell’s executive leadership, for instance, has reiterated in recent months that even at net zero, many sectors will continue to rely on fossil fuels. CCS, they argue, is the only realistic way to cut emissions in those industries.
#Some CCS Projects Underway
Major energy players are advancing large-scale CCS ventures. Among the biggest is a $100 billion project outside Houston backed by eleven companies, including:
Calpine
INEOS
They plan to capture and store up to 50 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2030 and 100 million metric tons by 2040. This makes it one of the largest CO₂ capture efforts in the world.
In the UK, Aker Solutions (FRA: 1AKA) has teamed up with Siemens Energy (OTCMKTS: SMNEY) and Doosan Babcock to develop solutions for the carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) market. Equinor (NYSE: EQNR) and partners are progressing with the East Coast Cluster, one of the UK’s leading carbon hubs.
BP (NYSE: BP) is also active, supporting the Net Zero Teesside project and backing Santos’ Moomba CCS initiative in Australia. The goal is to capture 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year from gas operations and inject it into South Australia’s Cooper Basin.
Shell is working on CCS projects in Australia, Norway, and Canada, while Saudi Aramco continues pilot projects in the Middle East.
As of mid-2025, over 50 commercial-scale CCUS facilities are operational worldwide, capturing more than 50 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. Based on current project pipelines, capture capacity is expected to reach around 430 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030, according to the IEA.
#Case Study: Aker Carbon Capture
Aker Carbon Capture (OTCMKTS: AKCCF), originally part of Aker Solutions, is one of the few pure-play carbon capture firms. It focuses on industries like cement, waste-to-energy, gas-to-power, and blue hydrogen. Hydrogen production, particularly from natural gas, is a major source of emissions, where carbon capture can make a significant impact.
Aker aims to capture emissions early in the value chain, from the extraction of raw materials to the processing of steel, iron, copper, and carbon fiber. By doing this, its clients can improve ESG scores and become more attractive to institutional investors. A surge in carbon capture investment is attracting attention from institutional investors seeking long-term ESG returns.
ACC went public in 2020 on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker ACC. U.S. investors can access it through the OTC market.
The company has seen strong momentum. The Brevik carbon capture plant in Norway has achieved mechanical completion and is in the commissioning phase, with operations planned to commence in 2025. This facility is notable as the world's first full-scale carbon capture plant in the cement industry, designed to capture 400,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The company also secured new agreements across Europe and Asia.
#Carbon Capture As A Service
Aker is developing a pay-per-tonne model for clients through its Carbon Capture as a Service platform. This allows companies to outsource the technology while meeting carbon compliance goals. This model lowers upfront costs for emitters, making carbon compliance more accessible for mid-sized industrial players.
A recent partnership with Carbonor will help commercialize low-emission char production under this model. If completed, it will be Aker’s first live contract using this pricing format.
It is also working with Viridor, a major UK waste management firm, to expand carbon capture solutions in municipal and industrial waste settings.
#ACC Outlook: Can It Lock 10M Tonnes in 2025?
ACC is betting on strong demand and supportive policy in both North America and Europe. In 2025, the company reaffirmed its goal of locking in contracts to capture 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually by the end of the year.
As global policy tightens and emissions caps become harder to meet, companies like Aker Carbon Capture could be well-positioned to scale.
#Final Take: Carbon Capture Is a High-Stakes Bet
Carbon capture is shaping up to be one of the most capital-intensive climate technologies of the decade. With government incentives rising and corporate emissions targets tightening, CCS investment is no longer speculative, it is rapidly becoming mainstream. Projects backed by energy giants, engineering firms, and climate-focused start-ups are gaining momentum, with more than 400 million tonnes of annual CO₂ capture capacity expected by 2030.
But this is not a risk-free green tech boom. Carbon capture still faces major cost, scalability, and trust challenges. Critics warn that CCS could be used to justify extended fossil fuel reliance, especially in hard-to-abate sectors. Investors should monitor policy shifts, project execution, and the true pace of adoption.
For those seeking long-term ESG exposure with high growth potential, CCS represents a frontier opportunity. Just be prepared, this is a market where winners will likely emerge selectively, based on proven performance, policy alignment, and real-world capture results, not just hype.
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