Applications of fly ash for CO2 capture, utilization, and storage

•The hazards of fly ash to the environment and public health are outlined.•Fly ash has a great potential for capture, utilization, and storage of CO2 (CCUS) applications.•Fly ash based adsorbents have comparable performances with commercial adsorbents when applied for CO2 capture.•CO2 utilization using fly ashes can produce valubale products.•New pathways for applying fly ash in CO2 utilization are introduced and discussed.