Carbon Capture in 2035: My Predictions as a Technology Futurist – 2025 Edition
Opening Summary
According to the International Energy Agency, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) capacity needs to increase by over 40 times by 2030 to meet global climate targets. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a revolution waiting to happen. In my work with energy companies and government organizations worldwide, I’ve seen firsthand how carbon capture is evolving from a niche technology to a central pillar of our climate strategy. The current landscape is fragmented, with pilot projects and early-stage implementations struggling to achieve scale. But what fascinates me most is the transformation I see coming—one that will fundamentally reshape how we think about carbon emissions and turn them from environmental liabilities into economic opportunities. The World Economic Forum notes that carbon capture technologies could remove up to 20% of global CO2 emissions from industrial and energy production, but we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible. As a futurist who has advised Fortune 500 companies on their digital transformation journeys, I believe we’re standing at the precipice of one of the most significant technological shifts of our lifetime.
Main Content: Top Three Business Challenges
Challenge 1: The Scale and Cost Conundrum
The most immediate challenge facing carbon capture today is the massive scale required versus the current cost structure. McKinsey & Company reports that while carbon capture costs have decreased by approximately 35% over the past decade, they still range from $50 to $120 per ton of CO2 captured for most industrial applications. This creates a significant financial barrier to widespread adoption. In my consulting work with major energy companies, I’ve seen how this cost structure makes it difficult to justify large-scale investments without substantial government subsidies or carbon pricing mechanisms. The reality is that current technologies require enormous capital expenditures for capture facilities, pipeline infrastructure, and storage sites. As noted by Harvard Business Review, the scale needed to make a meaningful climate impact would require infrastructure comparable to the current global oil and gas industry—a sobering comparison that highlights the magnitude of the challenge.
Challenge 2: Integration and Infrastructure Gaps
The second major challenge lies in the integration of carbon capture systems with existing industrial processes and the development of supporting infrastructure. Deloitte research shows that nearly 70% of potential carbon capture projects face significant integration challenges with existing facilities. From my experience working with manufacturing and energy companies, I’ve observed that retrofitting existing plants with carbon capture technology often requires substantial downtime and process redesign. Furthermore, the transportation and storage infrastructure remains underdeveloped. PwC analysis indicates that we need approximately 50,000 miles of CO2 pipelines by 2050 to support projected capture volumes, but current infrastructure is only a fraction of that. This creates a chicken-and-egg problem where companies hesitate to invest in capture without guaranteed transportation and storage options, while infrastructure developers wait for sufficient capture volumes to justify their investments.
Challenge 3: Measurement, Verification, and Public Perception
The third critical challenge involves accurately measuring and verifying carbon removal, coupled with public acceptance and regulatory uncertainty. Accenture’s research highlights that inconsistent measurement standards and verification protocols create significant barriers to carbon credit markets and investment certainty. In my strategic foresight work with government agencies, I’ve seen how difficult it is to establish universally accepted standards for quantifying and verifying carbon removal. Additionally, public perception remains a substantial hurdle. Communities often express concerns about the safety of CO2 storage and pipeline transportation, while environmental groups debate whether carbon capture enables continued fossil fuel use rather than accelerating the transition to renewables. The World Economic Forum notes that overcoming these perception challenges requires transparent communication and robust safety standards, but building this trust takes time we may not have.
Solutions and Innovations
The good news is that innovation is accelerating across multiple fronts. First, I’m particularly excited about the emergence of next-generation capture technologies that promise significant cost reductions. Companies like Carbon Engineering and Climeworks are developing direct air capture systems that are becoming increasingly efficient. In my consulting work, I’ve seen how these technologies are moving from laboratory scale to commercial deployment, with costs projected to fall below $100 per ton within the next five years.
Second, artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing carbon capture operations. I’ve advised several technology companies developing AI systems that optimize capture processes in real-time, adjusting parameters based on changing conditions to maximize efficiency. These systems can predict maintenance needs, optimize energy consumption, and improve overall system performance by 15-20%, according to implementation data I’ve reviewed.
Third, innovative business models are emerging that create new revenue streams from captured carbon. Companies are developing ways to convert CO2 into valuable products including building materials, fuels, and even consumer goods. LanzaTech, for instance, has developed technology to convert industrial emissions into ethanol and other chemicals, creating an economic incentive for capture beyond compliance requirements.
Fourth, modular and scalable solutions are addressing the integration challenge. I’ve worked with startups developing prefabricated, containerized capture units that can be deployed rapidly and scaled according to need. This approach reduces capital requirements and allows companies to start small and expand as technologies improve and markets develop.
The Future: Projections and Forecasts
Looking ahead, the carbon capture landscape will transform dramatically over the next decade. According to BloombergNEF projections, global carbon capture capacity will increase from around 40 million tons per year today to over 500 million tons by 2030. The market size is expected to grow from approximately $2 billion in 2022 to over $7 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 17%.
In my foresight exercises with corporate leaders, I envision several breakthrough scenarios. What if carbon capture becomes as ubiquitous as wastewater treatment? What if every major industrial facility incorporates capture technology by default? What if we develop capture systems so efficient they can economically remove historical emissions from the atmosphere?
The technological breakthroughs I anticipate include biological capture systems using engineered microorganisms, advanced materials that capture CO2 more efficiently and selectively, and integrated systems that combine multiple capture approaches. Quantum computing may enable us to design entirely new capture molecules and processes that are orders of magnitude more effective than current technologies.
The industry transformation timeline will likely see rapid acceleration between 2025 and 2030 as costs decline and regulatory frameworks mature. By 2035, I predict carbon capture will be a standard feature of industrial processes, with digital twins and AI optimization becoming the norm rather than the exception. The market could potentially exceed $50 billion annually by 2040 if current growth trajectories continue and technological breakthroughs materialize as expected.
Final Take: 10-Year Outlook
Over the next decade, carbon capture will evolve from a climate mitigation tool to an integral component of industrial processes and a significant economic sector. The transformation will be driven by technological innovation, policy support, and growing corporate commitment to decarbonization. We’ll see the emergence of carbon capture as a service business models, standardized measurement protocols, and global carbon management infrastructure. The opportunities for early movers are substantial, but so are the risks for organizations that delay adaptation. The companies that thrive will be those that view carbon not as waste to be disposed of, but as a resource to be managed and potentially monetized. The role of innovation and continuous adaptation cannot be overstated—this is not a one-time implementation but an ongoing journey of improvement and optimization.
Ian Khan’s Closing
The future of carbon capture isn’t just about technology—it’s about reimagining our relationship with carbon and turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities. As I often say in my keynotes, “The greatest innovations emerge when we stop seeing problems and start seeing possibilities.”
To dive deeper into the future of Carbon Capture and gain actionable insights for your organization, I invite you to:
- Read my bestselling books on digital transformation and future readiness
- Watch my Amazon Prime series ‘The Futurist’ for cutting-edge insights
- Book me for a keynote presentation, workshop, or strategic leadership intervention to prepare your team for what’s ahead
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About Ian Khan
Ian Khan is a globally recognized keynote speaker, bestselling author, and prolific thinker and thought leader on emerging technologies and future readiness. Shortlisted for the prestigious Thinkers50 Future Readiness Award, Ian has advised Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and global leaders on navigating digital transformation and building future-ready organizations. Through his keynote presentations, bestselling books, and Amazon Prime series “The Futurist,” Ian helps organizations worldwide understand and prepare for the technologies shaping our tomorrow.
