Advances and Integration of Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization (CCSU): A Circular Approach Towards a Net-Zero Carbon Economy

The rapid increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations from anthropogenic activities poses a critical threat to global climate stability, underscoring the urgent need for effective mitigation strategies. Carbon Capture, Storage, and Utilization (CCSU) has emerged as a cornerstone technology in the transition toward a net-zero carbon economy, offering dual benefits of emission reduction and resource valorization. Carbon Capture and Storage has seen significant deployment, particularly in energy and industrial sectors, through geological sequestration, while Carbon Capture and Utilization is increasingly recognized for its potential to transform captured CO₂ into fuels, chemicals, and construction materials, thereby supporting both decarbonization and circularity. Recent advancements in CCSU have been driven by novel materials such as Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), solid sorbents, and amine functionalized membranes, which exhibit enhanced selectivity, stability, and energy efficiency. Integrated approaches, including direct air capture (DAC), bioenergy with CCS (BECCS), and electrochemical CO₂ reduction, provide synergistic pathways for improving capture efficiency and utilization potential. Embedding CCSU within a circular economy framework further strengthens sustainable resource cycles by reducing dependence on fossil feedstocks. Despite these advances, significant barriers remain, including high energy intensity, economic feasibility, infrastructure requirements, regulatory uncertainties, and societal acceptance. Addressing these challenges will require enabling policies, such as carbon pricing and fiscal incentives, alongside interdisciplinary collaboration to refine life-cycle assessments, optimize techno-economic performance, and enhance scalability. This review highlights CCSU’s transformative potential not only as a decarbonization strategy but also as a foundational pillar of a circular, climate-resilient global economy