Understanding Carbon Capture and Storage in Climate Technology:

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a critical sector within climate technology, designed to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. CCS involves capturing CO₂ emissions from industrial processes or directly from the air, transporting it, and securely storing it underground or repurposing it for productive use. This technology is a backbone in achieving net-zero emissions, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors like heavy industry, energy production, and aviation, where complete decarbonization through renewables alone remains elusive. By preventing CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, CCS offers a bridge to a cleaner future while scalable alternatives mature.

In the UK, CCS is gaining momentum as the government targets net zero by 2050. With a rich industrial heritage and ambitious climate goals, the country is uniquely positioned to lead in this space. The sector’s importance lies not just in mitigation but in its potential to turn a liability—carbon emissions—into an asset, fostering economic growth through innovation.

Environmental Impacts of Unchecked Carbon Emissions:

The environmental stakes are high. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the primary driver of global warming, with atmospheric concentrations reaching unprecedented levels—over 424 parts per million in 2024, according to Statista. In the UK, industrial and energy sectors still contribute significantly to emissions, despite a shift toward renewables. Left unchecked, these emissions intensify climate change, leading to rising sea levels, extreme weather, and biodiversity loss. Traditional mitigation strategies, like efficiency improvements or renewable energy adoption, fall short for industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals, which emit CO₂ as a byproduct of their core processes. Moreover, legacy emissions linger in the atmosphere for centuries, necessitating solutions that actively remove carbon. CCS addresses these gaps, but its deployment has been hampered by high costs, energy intensity, and limited scalability—challenges that UK startups are now tackling with ingenuity.

Below, we explore leading UK startups in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) sector, detailing their innovative approaches, strategic goals, and impact on environmental sustainability. These companies are revolutionizing carbon management with scalable, practical solutions designed to combat climate change.

1. Carbon Clean

Carbon Clean, based in London, develops modular carbon capture technology tailored for industrial emitters. Their proprietary solvent captures CO₂ at a fraction of the cost and energy of traditional systems. Industrial emissions account for over 30% of the UK’s carbon output. Carbon Clean’s compact, cost-effective units reduce the financial and logistical barriers to CCS adoption, capturing up to 90% of emissions from sources like cement plants and refineries. With £42.5M in funding, Carbon Clean aims to capture 1 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030, making CCS accessible to small and medium enterprises—not just industrial giants.

By lowering costs and energy use, Carbon Clean accelerates industrial decarbonization, preventing millions of tonnes of CO₂ from exacerbating climate change while supporting the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

2. Storegga

Storegga, based in Aberdeen, is a leader in carbon storage infrastructure. They’re developing the Acorn Project in Scotland, which captures CO₂ from industrial clusters and stores it beneath the North Sea. Transport and storage have been bottlenecks for CCS.

Storegga leverages the UK’s offshore expertise and depleted oil fields to securely sequester CO₂, turning a former emissions hub into a carbon sink. They target storing 20 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2035, supporting the UK’s goal of capturing 20-30 million tonnes per year by 2030. They also aim to scale this model across Europe. This reduces atmospheric CO₂, mitigates ocean acidification, and repurposes industrial assets, cutting emissions without disrupting economic activity.

3. Brilliant Planet

Brilliant Planet, based in London, uses algae to capture CO₂ directly from the air. Their land-based systems grow algae in desert coastal regions, absorbing carbon at scale before burying it underground. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is energy-intensive and costly. Brilliant Planet’s biological approach uses sunlight and minimal energy, offering a low-cost alternative that sequesters CO₂ for centuries.

With £15M in funding, they aim to remove 1 gigatonne of CO₂ annually by 2040, proving nature-based solutions can compete with engineered ones. This reduces legacy emissions, restores atmospheric balance, and avoids land-use conflicts by targeting arid regions, aligning with global climate goals.

4. SatVu

SatVu, headquartered in London, develops high-resolution thermal imaging satellites to monitor carbon emissions and energy efficiency globally. While not a traditional CCS company, their technology supports carbon capture efforts by providing precise data on industrial CO₂ sources. Identifying emission hotspots is a challenge for CCS deployment. SatVu’s satellites track heat and emissions in real time, enabling industries and policymakers to target capture efforts effectively. This data-driven approach enhances the efficiency of downstream CCS technologies.

SatVu aims to launch a constellation of satellites by 2026, providing global coverage to support net-zero strategies. They intend to empower industries and governments with actionable insights to reduce emissions at scale. By pinpointing where CCS is most needed, SatVu could accelerate the capture of millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually, reducing atmospheric carbon and aiding the UK’s industrial decarbonization efforts.

5. CCm Technologies

CCm Technologies, based in Swindon, captures CO₂ from industrial sources and converts it into fertilizers and construction materials, creating a circular economy model. Storage alone doesn’t address CO₂’s potential. CCm’s process turns emissions into valuable products, reducing waste and the need for carbon-intensive manufacturing.

With £5M in funding, they aim to capture and repurpose 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030 while expanding globally. This cuts emissions, reduces reliance on virgin materials, and mitigates soil degradation from traditional fertilizers—a triple win for the environment.

6. Carbon8 Systems

Oxford-based Carbon8 Systems uses captured CO₂ to mineralize industrial waste, producing carbon-negative aggregates for construction—one of the world’s biggest emitters. Their technology locks CO₂ into stable materials, offsetting emissions while reducing landfill waste. Aiming to process 1 million tonnes of waste annually by 2035, Carbon8 is integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) into the circular economy. This permanently sequesters CO₂, decarbonizes construction, and tackles waste—addressing multiple environmental crises at once.

The UK’s CCS startups are at the front line of climate technology, turning carbon from a villain into a resource. Companies like Carbon Clean and Storegga tackle industrial emissions at the source, while Brilliant Planet and Climeworks address atmospheric CO₂. SatVu’s satellites track heat and emissions in real time, enabling industries and policymakers to target capture efforts effectively, and CCm Technologies and Carbon8 Systems innovate by repurposing carbon, reducing waste and emissions in tandem. Their goals—to capture millions of tonnes of CO₂, lower costs, and scale globally—align with the UK’s net-zero vision and offer a blueprint for the world. By mitigating climate change, preserving ecosystems, and fostering economic resilience, these startups prove CCS is not just a stopgap but a transformative force in building a sustainable future. As they grow, their impact will ripple far beyond Britain’s shores, redefining how we coexist with carbon in a warming world.

These highlights will be a part of the London Climate Technology Show, a leading event taking place on 01-02 October 2025 at Excel London, driving the global shift towards a sustainable future. Held annually, this exhibition and conference brings together innovators, policymakers, investors and industry leaders to explore cutting edge climate technologies crucial for achieving net zero goals. With its strong focus on collaboration and practical solutions, the show offers a vibrant platform to demonstrate how these technologies can mitigate climate change, reduce emissions and strengthen economic resilience. By linking innovation with real world action, the London Climate Technology Show drives the global push towards a low carbon economy, making it a key event for shaping the future of climate action.

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