Carbon Capture: An Impact Tool in a Very Large Toolbox
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been touted as a climate change game-changer since at least the turn of the 21st century, but its actual impact has been less than promising. While it certainly has a role to play in reducing carbon emissions and bringing our planet back from the point of no return, obstacles—primarily cost—stand in the way of making CCS a major player on a global scale.
CCS is better thought of as one tool in a much larger toolbox, and success will depend on using all of the tools that are available to us. A varied approach, one that combines CCS with innovation, smarter utilization of energy sources and better regulatory support will be needed. The energy sector must stop standing idly, waiting for the next big thing the industry can collectively do to reduce carbon emissions, but rather be open and transparent, exercise corporate social responsibility and embrace a strategy of doing a number of little things.
While CCS alone won’t solve the problem, there are still ways to enhance its effectiveness and integrate it more strategically into broader decarbonization efforts. By improving the efficiency of CCS, reducing costs and aligning it with other sustainability initiatives, this technology will become a larger part of the solution, with far-reaching implications. The key lies in refining the implementation of CCS and aligning it with other critical technologies and policies.
Not only a moral issue, strictly a business one
CCS is certainly mandatory for the environment, but companies need to see the technology as compulsory for their organization, too.
Governments are restricting emissions rules and increasing regulatory pressure, while financial institutions are considering the role that climate impact plays in their investment decisions. Companies that do not take action are exposing themselves to significant risks, such as fines and penalties for failing to meet emissions targets or falling victim to regulatory red tape that could limit growth. Additionally, in an era in which environmental, social and governance compliance is expected, damage to corporate reputation is an additional threat.
Organizations that do take action, however, will be well-positioned to take advantage of future opportunities. This decision is bigger than compliance; it’s about future-proofing operations, mitigating financial risk and staying competitive in an industry that is rapidly evolving.
A number of re:Invent sessions stressed this point, noting the importance of designing systems that can recover from failures and maintain uptime. One standout session, titled “Your Mission and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”, challenged the assumption that redundancy alone guarantees resilience. Instead, experts guided attendees through a series of exercises that illustrated the importance of the deep, system-wide robustness achieved through failure scenario planning and continuous testing.
Stripe’s session, “How Stripe Achieves Five and a Half 9s of Availability”, reinforced this mindset, explaining their mindset of practising your worst day every day. By simulating failures and preparing for the unexpected, Stripe has built systems that deliver reliability for millions of global transactions.
For businesses, operational resilience isn’t optional. It’s a competitive advantage that builds trust and ensures continuity in a digital world. Companies that prioritize proactive testing and robust architectural design will be better equipped to handle the challenges of tomorrow.
The will (and need) to act
The moral imperative and business case for developing carbon capture technology into a viable solution at scale is clear, however, a lack of clear regulations and financial incentives has slowed progress. CCS won’t deliver meaningful impact without a globally coordinated effort.
Oil and gas companies are struggling to make CCS economically viable, but Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions and tech leaders can drive investment and development to turn this into a scalable, sustainable solution. We already know where to start, as the industry has made significant advances in reducing emissions, such as:
- The electrification of drilling fleets, lowering the need for diesel;
- Direct air carbon capture, capturing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere (if inefficiently);
- Microgrids and on-site energy re-use, increasing operational energy efficiency.
The proof of concept exists and only needs more investment and commitment. The question before every organization is whether they are willing to pay the cost and invest the resources needed to do something.
Put simply, the cost of doing nothing is far greater.
Looking ahead
The way forwards will require a global effort and a hybrid approach. Everyone, spanning industries and continents, must band together with a coordinated, tech-driven strategy utilizing innovation, financial incentives and regulations.
Organizations seeking to spearhead these reforms should begin with three critical steps:
- Align with current and evolving climate policies to reduce regulatory risks;
- Invest in scalable, financially viable technologies that support long-term sustainability;
- Start their own transitions, rather than waiting for mandates.
The finance and technology sectors can be at the forefront of this transformation by turning emissions reductions from an obligation to a competitive advantage with key technologies and strategic investments.
Taking the next step
The climate change conversation isn’t going away, and CCS will remain a vital part in shaping the years ahead. Companies that take action now will shape the future of sustainability and business.
At GFT, we deliver AI-centric solutions that combine engineering excellence, high-performance delivery and cost efficiency. This makes us a trusted partner for sustainable impact and customer success. Schedule a consultation today to discuss how your business can lead in an era in which sustainability drives long-term growth.
