The United States is at a crossroads in its pursuit of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as a key strategy to combat climate change, with extensive networks of carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines rapidly expanding across the country. However, a groundbreaking study published by Davis, Salehi, Li, and colleagues in Communications Earth & Environment reveals a troubling and largely overlooked dimension to this green infrastructure: these CO2 pipelines are disproportionately routed through marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities. This revelation not only highlights environmental justice concerns but also underscores the urgent need for policy reform to address the social implications of climate mitigation technologies.
Carbon dioxide pipelines form a critical part of many CCS projects, transporting captured CO2 from industrial emissions sources to underground storage sites where the gas can be sequestered permanently. While CCS is hailed as an essential component to achieve net-zero emissions targets, the physical infrastructure it requires—the CO2 pipeline networks—introduces complex socio-environmental dynamics. Using comprehensive spatial analysis and demographic data, the study meticulously charts the geographic distribution of these pipelines and cross-references this data with socio-economic indicators of the affected populations.
What stands out prominently in the findings is the systemic pattern where marginalized communities—often characterized by lower income levels, higher poverty rates, and a larger proportion of racial and ethnic minorities—bear a disproportionate burden of the pipeline infrastructure. These populations frequently lack adequate political representation or resources to oppose the siting of CO2 pipelines, resulting in what researchers term as environmental inequity. The study draws parallels to historical trends where hazardous industrial facilities and waste sites have similarly been concentrated in disadvantaged areas, perpetuating cycles of health disparities and social marginalization.
From an engineering perspective, CO2 pipelines operate under high pressures and carry compressed gas, posing potential risks such as ruptures or leaks, which could have immediate and long-term health and safety consequences for nearby residents. In addition to physical hazards, the presence of such infrastructure can depress property values and limit community development opportunities. Despite these serious implications, regulatory frameworks governing pipeline placement have often overlooked the nuanced socio-economic contexts of communities, focusing primarily on technical and economic feasibility.
The researchers employed advanced geospatial techniques integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Census data to examine the intersection between pipeline locations and community demographics. This approach allowed them to disentangle regional disparities and identify consistent trends across multiple states. Their analysis extends beyond static mapping, incorporating predictive models to estimate potential future expansions of CO2 pipeline networks under current policy trajectories, which imply an increasing footprint in already vulnerable neighborhoods.
One of the study’s compelling arguments is that the climate crisis’s mitigation tools themselves can inadvertently perpetuate environmental injustices if not governed by inclusive and equitable policies. While CCS technology promises to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and slow global warming, the benefits are diffuse and long-term, whereas the infrastructure’s burdens are often local and immediate. The uneven spatial distribution of these burdens exacerbates existing inequalities, making the issue not only a technical or environmental one but deeply rooted in social justice.
Moreover, the study critiques the prevailing decision-making processes that have historically marginalized community input during infrastructure siting. In many cases, affected populations are inadequately consulted or informed, leading to a lack of transparency and trust between stakeholders. This dynamic fuels resistance and conflicts that can slow down vital climate projects while leaving communities feeling disenfranchised and helpless.
In response to these findings, the authors call for a comprehensive reevaluation of CCS deployment strategies with a heightened focus on equity. This includes incorporating environmental justice impact assessments at the earliest planning stages, increasing community engagement, and developing robust compensation or protective measures for communities hosting CO2 pipelines. Without such interventions, the climate solutions of today risk becoming the social problems of tomorrow.
Additionally, technical innovation might offer pathways to mitigate some risks associated with CO2 pipelines. Advanced sensor networks for real-time leak detection, the use of alternative materials, and improved pipeline routing algorithms could reduce accident probabilities and minimize community exposure. However, these technological improvements should complement, not replace, the critical need for just and participatory governance in the energy transition.
The study also raises important questions about the interplay of federal, state, and local jurisdictions in regulating CO2 pipeline development. Coordination challenges and varying regulatory standards contribute to inconsistent protections for vulnerable populations. Harmonizing policies to embed environmental justice principles consistently across all government levels is an essential recommendation arising from this work.
Interestingly, the authors emphasize that addressing these issues is not only a moral imperative but can also enhance the long-term viability of CCS projects. Community opposition driven by inequitable impacts can lead to costly delays or cancellations. By proactively ensuring equitable outcomes, project developers and policymakers can foster broader public support for CCS, a crucial factor in achieving climate goals.
On a global scale, the findings contribute to an evolving discourse on how emerging climate technologies intersect with social equity. While CO2 pipeline networks in the United States serve as a case study, the underlying principles regarding infrastructure siting and marginalized communities have parallels in many other countries scaling up carbon capture initiatives. International stakeholders can learn from this research when designing inclusive climate action frameworks.
In sum, this seminal study by Davis and colleagues is a clarion call to integrate environmental justice deeply into climate mitigation strategies. It challenges the scientific community, policymakers, and industry leaders to reckon with the socio-economic landscape alongside the technical aspects of climate infrastructure. As the pressure mounts to deploy CCS at scale, ensuring that these efforts do not exacerbate social inequalities is paramount.
The implications extend beyond CO2 pipelines themselves: they reflect the broader societal challenge of implementing sustainable and equitable solutions in the face of climate change. The path forward requires multidisciplinary collaboration bridging engineering, social sciences, policy, and community advocacy. Only through such integrated approaches can climate interventions achieve their full promise—not just in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but in fostering resilient and just societies.
Ultimately, the stark spatial disparities unveiled in this study underline that climate justice must be a central pillar—not an afterthought—of our energy future. As efforts intensify to build a carbon-neutral world, this research shines a critical light on the realities faced by the most vulnerable populations, demanding that their voices and welfare be prioritized in shaping the infrastructure that aims to save the planet.
Subject of Research: Environmental justice and the spatial distribution of carbon dioxide pipelines in the United States with a focus on marginalized communities.
Article Title: Carbon dioxide pipelines are disproportionally located in marginalized communities in the United States.
Article References:
Davis, J.A., Salehi, N., Li, L. et al. Carbon dioxide pipelines are disproportionally located in marginalized communities in the United States. Commun Earth Environ 6, 339 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02295-0
Image Credits: AI Generated
