Queensland’s CTSCo carbon capture and storage (CCS) pilot was once the most advanced onshore CCS project in Australia’s east – a flagship test case bridging research to commercial-scale deployment. Despite robust technical planning and early engagement efforts (over 1,600 stakeholder interactions), this pioneering project failed to secure enduring social licence in the face of orchestrated misinformation and opposition. Influential agribusiness interests mobilised fear campaigns claiming catastrophic risks to groundwater, drowning out scientific assurances of safety. Local communities were largely supportive, but their voices were muted as political momentum built against the project.

As Queensland’s 2024 election loomed, anti-CCS narratives gained traction among local politicians and media, culminating in a sudden state government ban on CO₂ storage in the Great Artesian Basin. This abrupt decision – made despite the project’s regulatory compliance and supporting scientific evidence – not only terminated the decade-long, $50 million CTSCo initiative, but also sent a chilling signal to investors. The collapse of political will highlighted how fragile social licence and policy support can derail even well-founded CCS projects.

This case study distils key learnings for future CCS endeavours. It underscores the importance of proactive, fact-based stakeholder engagement and trust-building to counter misinformation. It also contrasts Queensland’s setback with broader national trends: while Australia has numerous CCS projects underway, Queensland now has none. Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are emerging as CCS leaders due to favourable geology, strong political backing and clear regulatory pathways. Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory exemplify how aligning technical readiness with community and government support can drive CCS success. Queensland’s experience offers a cautionary tale – and a roadmap for others to avoid missteps and foster durable social licence for CCS.