National and international plans for halting and reversing climate change focus on reducing and eventually ending the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions: carbon dioxide (CO₂) released by fossil fuel combustion. However, as the nation moves towards replacing many fossil CO₂-emitting processes with zero- or low-carbon-emission alternatives, special attention is needed to eliminate net carbon emissions from the systems that cannot be fully "decarbonized", such as the production of aviation fuel, chemicals, plastics, and construction materials. For these systems, carbon will need to be managed and utilized effectively, in a way that either prevents CO₂ from entering the atmosphere or reuses it through circular processes that do not contribute additional emissions.

Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and Research and Development: A Final Report is the second report of a two-part study. The study's first report assessed the state of infrastructure for CO₂ transportation, use, and storage, highlighting priority opportunities for further investment. This second report identifies potential markets and commercialization opportunities for CO₂- and coal waste-derived products, examines economic, environmental, and climate impacts of CO₂ utilization infrastructure, and puts forward a comprehensive research agenda for carbon utilization technologies.