November 24, 2025 Redefining Climate Leadership with Carbon Capture

Jörg Böhner discusses why CCS is not an unfamiliar risk technology for industry and highlights the opportunities it presents for businesses.

By Jörg Böhner, Risk Engineer at HDI Risk Consulting

For years, the capture and storage of CO₂, which is widely referred to as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), was cast as the outsider in the energy transition space, a misunderstood technology, accused of being too expensive, too risky, and too unproven. However, the narrative is changing, and for an increasing number of industrial companies, CCS is emerging as a fossil fuel profit booster, but as a climate protection tool with the power to rewrite the ending for industries worldwide.

As pressure rises for industries to meet ambitious decarbonization targets, CCS is gaining traction as a practical bridge technology, one that allows existing industrial processes to continue while dramatically reducing their carbon footprint. Rather than being viewed as a last resort, CCS is progressively being seen as a strategic investment that can future-proof business models, enable compliance with tightening regulations, and open the door to low-carbon innovation.

CCS is Proven, Not Experimental

Let’s set the record straight: CCS is not new. This technology has been deployed in oil and gas for ‘Enhanced Oil Recovery’ since the 1970s. Every step, including capture, compression, transport, and underground storage, has been tested, refined, and scaled. For industry, this means CCS is built on decades of operational know-how, not just theory.

Beyond Greenwashing

Some critics say CCS is just a shiny badge for polluters. However, in sectors like cement, steel, and chemicals, where CO₂ emissions are hard to eliminate, CCS is a game-changer. The data is clear: without CCS, global climate goals are out of reach. For businesses, this is an opportunity to drive a real, measurable impact even in the toughest sectors.

Reimaging Risk

CCS is not an unknown risk for insurers or industry. The technical challenges, including capture, transport, and storage, are well understood. Yes, underground storage brings geological considerations, but with the right expertise and standards, risk becomes something you can measure, manage, and insure.

Transparency Builds Trust

Robust data is the foundation of any successful CCS project. From planning to operation, transparency is key. Companies that share project details early and openly earn trust from partners, insurers, investors, and the public. This transparency does not just smooth the path to insurance and funding, it also accelerates acceptance and adoption.

Strength in Numbers

Successful transformation is a joint effort. Partnering with experienced insurers and technical experts turns risk into resilience. Decades of know-how, hundreds of engineers, and bespoke solutions are essential ingredients for innovation and business continuity. Together, companies and partners can push boundaries and safeguard progress.

The Bottom Line

A deeper look reveals CCS as a proven technology at the heart of industry’s sustainable transformation. CCS is no longer about damage control, it’s about leadership.

By integrating capture technologies into their operations, industries can position themselves at the forefront of climate innovation, signalling to investors, policymakers, and customers alike that they are serious about the future. As more projects demonstrate success, the narrative continues to shift from scepticism to momentum, proving that CCS can be both a driver of profitability and a cornerstone of industrial decarbonization.

About the Author:
Jörg Böhner is a Risk Engineer at HDI Risk Consulting. He has 20 years of experience with projects related to Geotechnics and Hydrogeology, as well as projects related to international site investigations for diverse market sectors including Oil & Gas, Nuclear, Mining, and Infrastructure.

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