Deployment of CCUS for Future ASEAN Decarbonization: An Energy Justice Perspective

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) encompasses a technology with the potential to fill many roles in the pursuit of global energy and climate objectives. There are now some 10 ongoing carbon capture projects in ASEAN countries, with the majority of these initiatives being announced since January 2020. Nevertheless, the implementation of CCUS as a strategy to address climate change has encountered opposition from certain individuals who argue that it perpetuates continued reliance on fossil fuels rather than promoting their substitution with renewable energy alternatives, such as solar and wind power. This study employs energy justice as an analytical tool to analyze social and economic aspects within energy systems to ensure fairness in allocating both benefits and responsibilities associated with energy provision. The results show that potential injustices might occur in developing CCUS technology. Hence, the eight principles of energy justice — availability, affordability, due process, good governance, sustainability, intergenerational equity, intragenerational equity, and responsibility — must be taken into consideration so as to promote inclusiveness and enable broad participation in ASEAN’s CCUS development plans.