The annual carbon dioxide capture capacity of commercial carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities operating worldwide has reached 68 million tonnes and is expected to exceed 100 million tonnes as projects under construction become operational, according to a new report.
The Global Status of CCS 2026 report, published by the Global CCS Institute, says 113 commercial CCS facilities are operating worldwide as of 2026. Projects under construction are expected to add a further 56 million tonnes of annual carbon dioxide capture capacity.
Once these projects become operational, the annual capture capacity of operating facilities is projected to increase by 82% and exceed 100 million tonnes.
More than 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide have been captured and permanently stored using CCS technologies since 1996, according to data from the London Register of Subsurface CO2 Storage cited in the report.
Natural gas processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) account for the largest share of operational capacity, with an annual capture capacity of 42 million tonnes.
When projects under development are included, the power generation and heat sector has a potential annual capture capacity of 160 million tonnes. The report attributes this to stronger commitments to CCS in natural gas-fired power generation.
Across the overall project pipeline, natural gas processing and LNG lead with a potential annual capacity of 111 million tonnes, followed by the hydrogen, ammonia and fertiliser sector with 103 million tonnes, and cement and lime with 42 million tonnes.
– Americas lead in capture capacity
The Americas rank first among regions, with operating facilities having an annual capture capacity of 48 million tonnes.
If projects under development are realised, the region’s total annual capacity could reach 282 million tonnes in and beyond 2030.
In Europe, 15 facilities are operational and 21 are under construction. The region’s annual carbon dioxide injection capacity is expected to reach 33 million tonnes by 2030, according to the European Union’s first progress report under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
This remains below the EU’s target of 50 million tonnes for that year.
The report also highlights regional cooperation initiatives designed to facilitate carbon dioxide transport.
The United Kingdom and Belgium have reached an agreement to facilitate carbon dioxide transport, while Finland and Norway have signed a memorandum of understanding covering the transport of carbon dioxide from Finland for permanent storage in Norway.
In addition, 17 Projects of Common and Mutual Interest have been formalised within the European Union.
– CCS hubs under development in the Middle East
In the Middle East and Africa, five facilities are operational, five are under construction, seven are at an advanced development stage and 12 are at an early development stage.
According to the report, governments and industry in the Middle East are focusing on large-scale CCS hubs, integrated carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure, and carbon management value chains linked to LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, power generation and heavy industry.
Deployment in the region remains concentrated in a small number of Gulf countries and projects capable of generating commercial returns from carbon dioxide utilisation in the near term. The report notes that such projects do not always prioritise permanent carbon dioxide storage.
Regional regulatory frameworks, transport and storage business models, financing mechanisms and procedures for validating storage sites are still under development.
The report also says conflicts in the region are increasing pressure on energy security, energy affordability and public resources, potentially delaying some CCS and net-zero investments.
