Carbon dioxide (CO2), commonly seen as a waste product linked to global warming, is increasingly viewed through new lenses thanks to technologies like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). These approaches do not aim to replace broader efforts to reduce emissions but instead target sectors where decarbonization is particularly challenging, such as steel and cement production. Researchers have been exploring CCUS for over two decades, yet scaling these methods faces hurdles in science, infrastructure, and regulation. The French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) has launched a study to examine the societal impact of CCUS across economic, political, environmental, and social dimensions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) included Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in its analyses of emission reduction strategies as early as the 2000s, with a dedicated report in 2005. CCUS is now part of broader strategies aimed at decarbonizing industrial energy use and reducing emissions from production processes. Capturing CO2 involves isolating it from gas streams exiting industrial facilities, though current methods—often using solvents—face environmental and energy challenges. Scientists are exploring more compact reactors, modular units, and materials like Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which can selectively bind CO2. Another approach, oxy-combustion, aims to generate purer CO2 streams for easier handling. Capturing CO2 is just the first step in the process. The gas must then be conditioned, transported, and either stored underground or transformed into useful products. However, the interdependence of different actors in this chain—such as industrial producers, transporters, and storage providers—can create barriers due to differing interests and risk perceptions. Geological storage, which involves injecting CO2 into deep underground formations, is one proposed solution. Research focuses on modeling these reservoirs and monitoring their stability. Pilot projects, such as the one in Rousse (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), study how CO2 interacts with the geological environment. Offshore storage in former oil and gas fields is another option, though it lacks the necessary socio-technical frameworks to support widespread use. Transforming CO2 into usable resources is a promising but difficult path, as the molecule is chemically stable and requires significant energy to alter. Researchers are investigating methods like electrocatalysis and CO2 reduction to create valuable chemical compounds. However, the economic viability of these transformations remains limited, as the quantities of CO2 that can be converted are much smaller than annual emissions. Many of these processes also require hydrogen, which demands large amounts of electricity and water. Without a reliable and low-cost source of hydrogen, many of these pathways remain impractical. While France has scientific expertise in CCUS, these skills are currently fragmented. The PEPR Spleen program seeks to unify research efforts around industrial decarbonization. Scaling CCUS will require substantial investment, a stable economic framework, and training for researchers and professionals. Public acceptance and engagement are also critical, as projects involving underground storage or pipeline construction require societal understanding of the risks, objectives, and alternatives.