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The challenge

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050

Australia has a national commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To get there, we must accelerate renewable energy deployment and scale up carbon management solutions like carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The Carbon Capture and Storage Impact Assessment Report evaluates CSIRO’s contributions to carbon capture and storage over the past 25 years.

CCS is a critical tool in Australia’s emissions reduction strategy, complementing energy system decarbonisation and efficiency improvements. Hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel, and fertilisers face complex challenges on the path to net zero.

When CSIRO began major CCS research, the technology lacked frameworks, monitoring systems, and commercial validation. We asked a fundamental question:

Is CCS a viable option to help manage the massive volumes of carbon dioxide generated by Australian industry?

Our response

The Carbon Capture and Storage Impact Assessment Report

Inspired by this question, CSIRO’s involvement in CCS started with early capacity assessments around topics like capture development and storage research with a focus on establishing fundamental knowledge and building national capability from the ground up. The research evolved through distinct phases, shaped by shifting government policies, fluctuating investment landscapes, and the persistent dedication of its scientists.

The Carbon Capture and Storage Impact Assessment Report (CCSIAR) undertaken by Consulting & Implementation Services (CIS) is a summary of this work, evaluating CSIRO’s contributions to carbon capture and storage over the past 25 years. The independent assessment is based on qualitative analysis of CSIRO’s project portfolio and extensive consultations with national and international experts and stakeholders.

The report outlines the scope and depth of CSIRO’s long-term, strategic approach to building Australia’s CCS capability across seven key areas summarised below:

  1. Establishing Australia’s CCS foundations
    CSIRO's journey in CCS began in 1999, when CCS was largely a theoretical concept in Australia. Our involvement and collaborative ethos have helped to build the foundational knowledge and collaborative structures that have seen CCS transform from a promising idea into a field of operational research.
  2. Advancing CCS science and technology
    CSIRO’s research has expanded the technological frontiers of CCS and been instrumental in de-risking CCS for deployment globally. From pioneering new capture chemistries to developing innovative methods for monitoring stored CO₂, our work has bridged laboratory research and field deployment, building confidence in the technical feasibility, safety, and scalability of CCS.
  3. Underpinning policy and investment with credibility
    Over the past two decades, CSIRO has played a pivotal role in enabling CCS investment and informing policy via its unique combination of scientific authority, institutional neutrality, and deep technical expertise. Trusted independent advice have helped to build regulatory frameworks and de-risk major project investments.
  4. Building national CCS capability
    For more than 25 years, we have helped build out Australia’s sovereign capabilities in CCS through developing a portfolio of leading research infrastructure and adopting a highly collaborative approach that has helped build a highly skilled and experienced workforce.
  5. Building public trust and social licence
    Public trust is a critical enabler of CCS deployment. Our research has demonstrated that science-based engagement helps foster understanding and build public confidence through transparent, evidence-based communication.
  6. Global standing and international influence
    CSIRO's international engagement has provided a consistent and powerful strength in helping build Australia's reputation as a top-tier CCS research nation and becoming an influential partner in major collaborations engaging North American, European, and Asian institutions and networks.
  7. Navigating the path to commercialisation
    The path from a successful pilot plant to a commercially viable, large-scale operation is fraught with obstacles, often referred to as the "valley of death", where promising technologies can falter due to a lack of investment, uncertain market signals, and inconsistent policy support. The CCSIAR outlines how our research has recognised this critical gap by generating a portfolio of de-risked, commercial-ready technologies and developing invaluable expertise, preparing Australia for large-scale CCS deployment.

The results

CSIRO's contribution informs the carbon capture and storage sector

CCSIAR is a comprehensive view into CSIRO’s contribution to the science that informs the carbon capture and storage sector, providing a clear understanding of the impact of our sustained CCS investment. Through 25 years of collaborative research, CSIRO has:

  • Positioned Australia as a global leader in CCS.
  • Reduced commercial risk for industry and investors through rigorous science.
  • Built trust with regulators and communities, unlocking capital for major projects.
  • Created a critical mass of expertise, infrastructure, and international partnerships.

Looking ahead, we are working to integrate CCS into industrial hubs, enabling shared capture and storage infrastructure for multiple emission sources.

From the initial explorations of geological storage potential to the operation of sophisticated pilot plants and the development of advanced monitoring techniques, CSIRO's work has played a critical role in strengthening the capacity to evaluate and deploy CCS as a key part of Australia’s net-zero future and global climate change efforts.

Download the impact assessment report:

Download the impact assessment infographic:

Otway International Test Centre – a world class test facility and the centrepiece of CCUS technology advancement in Australia and internationally for more than 15 years.

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