A systematic review of cross-sectoral life cycle assessments of carbon capture, utilization, and storage systems

The institutional scale-up of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) architectures constitutes a critical mandate to fulfil global net-zero targets. Ensuring that carbon mitigation complies with the EU Taxonomy “Do No Significant Harm” principle demands a rigorous life cycle assessment (LCA) framework. This study delivers a comprehensive, PRISMA-driven systematic review and systematic quantitative evidence synthesis based on a multi-database search across Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection. The finalized corpus comprises 97 peer-reviewed articles (14 reviews, 83 primary research studies) categorized across five thematic clusters. The methodological inventory uncovers severe analytical fragmentation; functional units and system boundaries remain divided between mass balances and energy outputs, limiting cross-industry standardization. The empirical evidence synthesis demonstrates that whilst integrated CCUS interventions deliver deep direct carbon reductions (GWP mitigation ranging from 43% to 95% relative to study-specific baselines), concurrent thermal and electrical energy penalties frequently trigger environmental burden-shifting under particular energy and process conditions. Amine-based capture and high-temperature loops can force intense trade-offs, driving absolute increases from 15% to over 50% across terrestrial Acidification and aquatic Eutrophication Potentials. Conversely, advanced pressurized chemical looping and slag mineralization optimize process efficiencies, enabling highly negative LCA results down to −745 kg CO2 eq/ton; however, these values predominantly reflect net-avoided emissions via product displacement rather than permanent geological carbon removal. Finally, a systems-level conceptual framework highlights that the ultimate scalability of integrated CCUS chains is captive to macro-system dependencies, requiring thorough grid decarbonization and optimized dense-phase pipeline transport.