Exploring the Potential of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage in Baltic Sea Region Countries: A Review of CCUS Patents from 2000 to 2022

Abstract

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) refers to technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from sources such as power plants, industrial facilities, and transportation, and either store it underground or use it for beneficial purposes. CCUS can play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, as CO2 is a major contributor to global warming. In the Baltic Sea region countries (BSR), patent searches from 2000 to 2020 reveal that CCUS technologies are focused on CO2 storage, monitoring, utilization, and transport. However, the adoption and deployment of these technologies has been slow due to a variety of factors, including a lack of government action on climate change, public skepticism, increasing costs, and advances in other options such as renewables and shale gas. Overall, CCUS has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, but more work is needed to overcome the barriers to its widespread adoption in the BSR and elsewhere. This could include policy measures to incentivize the use of CCUS technologies, public education and outreach efforts to increase understanding and support for CCUS, and research and development to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these technologies.