Carbon Capture & Storage

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) involves the capture, transportation and permanent storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂). With CCUS, CO₂ can be put into products like cement or stored deep underground. This emissions mitigation method has the greatest potential to reduce CO₂ emissions in locations with large sources of CO₂ (e.g., industrial facilities) that are nearby suitable underground storage sites. An example of this is capturing and storing CO₂ for the oil and gas sector in northeast British Columbia.

Why CCUS is important to British Columbia’s emissions goals

The CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 (PDF, 9.5MB) identifies CCUS as an important pathway to reduce emissions in the industrial sector. Capturing CO₂ and then either storing or using it has the potential to significantly reduce emissions from various industrial sectors, including oil and gas, cement production, pulp and paper, and steel manufacturing. Deploying CCUS as an emissions reduction strategy is crucial for some industrial sectors that may find it difficult to lower their emissions. Eventually CCUS will also be an option to help these industries mitigate their climate impact when utilization techniques are more advanced.

CCUS as a tool for lowering and addressing the impacts of industrial emissions is supported in the BC Hydrogen Strategy (PDF, 1.4MB). The BC Hydrogen Strategy explores how to produce hydrogen as well as capture and permanently store the waste CO₂ in British Columbia (B.C.).

CCUS plays an important role in the provincial emissions offset program. Soon, under the BC Output-Based Pricing System (BC OBPS), emissions captured at a regulated facility can be credited through the BC Offsets Program. Instructions on how to measure greenhouse gas emissions reductions from a project can be found as specific protocols. The B.C. offset program released a draft CCS protocol for public consultation in September 2023. B.C.’s offset program webpage has further information on offset protocols and projects. 

How government is advancing CCUS

In recent years, B.C. has updated its regulatory framework and supported the development of CCUS by providing funds to projects and research and development initiatives. The Regulatory framework section of this website provides more information about legislation and recent amendments.

As we advance a provincial approach to CCUS, work is underway to encourage investment in B.C.-based technologies to capture CO₂ and find uses for it as described in the website’s section, Funding supports for CCUS. Studies of the province’s geologic storage potential have also been published, with further geoscience research receiving ongoing support as described in the section on Geological potential.