PICTUrS,
a programme of territories

The environmental and climate context highlighted by global bodies (such as the IPCC, IEA, BRGM…) is pushing governments and Europe to adopt policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

To achieve this, several sectors are involved, including industrial activities. Decarbonisation, which refers to the goal of carbon neutrality in these industries, can be achieved through three main approaches:

CO2 emissions reduction
by industrial
processes optimisation

CO2 utilisation
by valorisation
of the remaining CO2

geological storage
of remaining CO2 to not let it increase atmospheric CO2 concentration

CO2 emissions reduction
by industrial
processes optimisation

CO2 utilisation
by valorisation
of the remaining CO2

geological storage
of remaining CO2 to not let it increase atmospheric CO2 concentration

Geological storage (Carbon Capture and Storage: CCS) allows for the reduction of CO2 emissions, buying time to implement new activities aimed at CO2 valorisation for reuse (CO2 Capture and Use: CCU) as well as optimising industrial processes. By rapidly removing CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, this approach helps slow down the acceleration of climate change driven by these gases. This is referred to as CCUS: Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage.

CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage) is strongly encouraged by European policies and is supported by the rapid rise in carbon pricing since early 2021. The accelerated reduction of CO2 emission allowances in Europe, starting in 2026, is expected to lead to a corresponding increase in the carbon tax price.