Beijing Hosts the Inauguration of ICTO to Boost Global CCUS Innovation

Launch of ICTO: A New Era for Global CCUS Innovation

On July 11, 2025, Beijing became the center of attention when it successfully hosted the Members Assembly and the inauguration of the International Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Innovation Organization (ICTO). Led by Sinopec and under the guidance of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), this initiative brought together fifty influential leaders from around the world, symbolizing a significant step toward accelerating global climate action through innovative technology.

The event saw the participation of over ninety representatives from twelve countries across four continents. These included powerful think tanks, industry associations, research institutions, and domain experts. Their collective goal is to create a global platform for technological exchange that will pave the way for advancements in CCUS. The overarching mission of the ICTO is to innovate for a carbon-free future and foster a shared destiny for humanity in combating climate change.

During the assembly, attendees reviewed and approved the charter of the ICTO, designating its first leadership team that includes a director, deputy director, and general secretary. Ma Yongsheng, an academic at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the president of Sinopec, was appointed as the director of this inaugural assembly.

Ma Yongsheng emphasized, "Establishing ICTO not only showcases the international community's unwavering commitment to fighting climate change, but it also represents a collective declaration of tangible action. We will carefully heed all voices and cultivate in-depth dialogue and substantial cooperation to lay the groundwork for mutual success, transforming CCUS into a real accelerator for global carbon neutrality."

The urgency to collectively address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality has become a global consensus. Currently, 151 countries have pledged their commitments to climate goals, either through neutrality initiatives or net-zero emissions targets. CCUS technologies possess enormous potential capable of achieving large-scale emission reductions, contributing approximately 15% of the total emission reductions required to meet carbon neutrality objectives. To achieve success, the capacity for CCUS projects must expand over 100-fold before 2050.

Sinopec has been a trailblazer in the CCUS sector in China, having initiated the country's first CCUS project at the Shengli Oilfield in 2012. In subsequent years, Sinopec integrated pioneering CO₂ resource utilization within its operations in 2015, further solidifying its leadership by launching the first megaton-scale CCUS operation in 2022 and completing the nation’s first long-term CO₂ transport pipeline in 2023.

Through initiatives like ICTO, the focus is not only on technological advancement but also on fostering collaborations internationally that will lead to groundbreaking solutions. As the world stands on the brink of urgent climate decisions, it's clear that partnerships, innovation, and a unified approach are essential to ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

The ICTO's formation and its commitment to achieving a shared vision reflect the growing acknowledgment that innovation in CCUS technology is pivotal to the future of climate policy and sustainability practices globally. As global leaders unite under its aegis, they stand poised to make significant strides toward a cleaner and greener planet.