**Carbon Capture and Utilization: As the world grapples with the adverse effects of climate change, innovative solutions are being sought to mitigate the rising concentration of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), in the atmosphere. One such promising approach is Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), which involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial processes and using it as a raw material for producing various products. CCU offers a dual benefit of reducing CO2 levels while creating economic value through its utilization in diverse industries. ### The Importance of Carbon Capture The rapid rise in CO2 emissions due to human activities, particularly from the burning of fossil fuels, is a primary contributor to global warming. CO2 is a potent greenhouse gas, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and leading to phenomena such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized the need to drastically reduce carbon emissions to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5°C by the end of the century. However, given the scale of emissions and the slow pace of transitioning to renewable energy sources, carbon capture technologies have become crucial. CCU is one of the technologies being explored to address the challenge. Instead of releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, it can be captured at the source—such as power plants, cement factories, or steel mills—and stored or utilized. This process reduces the overall carbon footprint of these industries and helps in meeting international climate targets. ### Carbon Utilization: Turning Waste into Value While carbon capture technologies focus on preventing CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere, carbon utilization takes a step further by converting captured CO2 into useful products. This creates a closed carbon loop, where CO2 is not viewed merely as waste but as a valuable resource. One of the most promising applications of CCU is in the production of fuels. CO2 can be chemically converted into synthetic fuels, such as methanol or hydrocarbons, that can serve as alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. These carbon-neutral fuels, when burned, release the same amount of CO2 that was used to create them, thus minimizing net emissions. Beyond fuels, captured CO2 can also be used to produce chemicals, plastics, and building materials. For example, in the construction industry, CO2 can be mineralized and used in the production of concrete, which not only helps in reducing emissions but also enhances the strength of the material. CO2 can also be used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques, where it is injected into o

Muhammed Ameen M.P

University/College name : Jamal Mohamed College