Chair: Dr Matthias Raab

As the world races to build clean energy systems, the complex realities of energy supply cannot be overlooked. While renewables are accelerating, hydrocarbons remain essential, widespread, and continue to grow in use — driven by the energy demands of expanding and developing economies and populations.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies offer promise as one of the few viable pathways to reduce emissions while preserving energy security and affordability. Over the past 12 to 18 months, the total number of CCS facilities in the global development pipeline has grown at an unprecedented pace. Australia is a key player, with two fully operational CCS projects (Gorgon and Moomba) and several under development. Yet a widening investment gap threatens to slow progress, with current CCS funding falling well short of what is needed to keep net-zero ambitions on track.