Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Removal Quantities

The scenarios for the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways have a range of values for CCS quantities in 2100.

(From ChatGPT:)

As of 2025, the total quantity of carbon dioxide (CO₂) removed by Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) this century is relatively small compared to global emissions. Here's a breakdown:

🌍 Total CO₂ Removed by CCS (2000–2025):

Cumulative total: Approximately 300–400 million metric tons (MtCO₂).
Source: Global CCS Institute, IEA reports, and IPCC assessments.

📈 Current Annual Capacity (2024–2025):

Operational CCS facilities: ~40 large-scale commercial facilities.
Annual capture capacity (2025): ~45–50 MtCO₂/year globally.

🏭 Context Compared to Emissions:

Global annual CO₂ emissions (2023): ~37 billion metric tons.
CCS removes less than 0.1% of annual global emissions.
Even the total amount removed in 25 years is roughly 1% of one year's emissions.

🔮 Future Projections (by 2050, if targets are met):

To meet net-zero goals, CCS may need to scale up to 5–10 GtCO₂/year (IPCC, IEA scenarios).
That’s over 100x the current scale, requiring major policy, infrastructure, and investment shifts.