News of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s re-election is a welcome signal of continuity for EU climate policy. As time went on in her first mandate, she increasingly recognised the necessity of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to achieve the EU’s Net-Zero objectives. In just two years, she oversaw the development of the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and the passage of the Net-Zero Industry Act, marking significant advancements for the sector. If the Green Deal agenda was Europe’s ‘man on the moon moment’, then these initiatives each represented one small step towards climate neutrality.

Five years to secure a net-zero future

While necessary, the commitments contained in these two initiatives alone are far from sufficient to meet the EU’s climate ambitions. Substantial attention, effort, and investment into CCS will be required over the next 25 years to achieve climate neutrality. This mandate will be pivotal in setting the foundation for the future. Over the next five years, crucial work must be done if we are to make the giant leap forward on carbon capture that our climate neutrality goals depend on. 

To get there, we need the von der Leyen II Commission to make some serious progress by taking firm action on a whole portfolio’s worth of priority areas.

Cross-border collaboration

Not all Member States have promising storage sites or can develop storage capacity in the short to medium term. Cross-border collaboration is essential for unlocking the EU’s potential for CCS. By coordinating these efforts, the Commission can significantly speed up the process and ensure the conditions are in place for every emitter to be able to transport its CO2 to a storage site.

Developing efficient permitting procedures

As things stand, permitting a full value chain project is a lengthy and complex process involving many stakeholders. Most national authorities lack the capacity and knowledge for CCS projects, with some exceptions like Denmark and the Netherlands. By equipping national authorities with the necessary knowledge and encouraging the exchange of best practices, the European Commission can coordinate the development of more efficient permitting procedures that enable the scale-up of CCS throughout the EU.

Third-country collaboration

While much of the storage for EU emissions will occur within the EU, neighboring countries also offer substantial storage potential. Engaging in discussions with like-minded third countries is crucial for providing a pathway to CO2 storage ahead of the 2030 deadline set by the Net-Zero Industry Act.

Coordination between EU and national law

As more Member States develop their own regulatory frameworks for CCS in response to urgent climate needs, the risk of divergence between EU and national policies increases. This poses a significant challenge, as the high costs and long lead times of CCS projects demand a high degree of regulatory certainty. The Commission needs to step into a coordinating role and liaise with Member State authorities to avoid conflicts or policy changes. It should ensure that Member States are enacting a singular European CCS policy that is cohesive and effective.

Enforcement of EU law

The Commission must ensure the full implementation of EU law regarding CCS in all Member States. This includes the CCS Directive and the new obligations in the Net-Zero Industry Act. Without effectively enforcing the existing legislative framework, developing new legislation will become increasingly difficult. The European Commission must use its political and legal tools to ensure that implementation occurs predictably and effectively. Without this, it will be impossible to develop an efficient EU policy to support the deployment of CCS.

Public awareness

For CCS to really take off, we need public support for the technology. Currently, it remains largely unknown, making it difficult to gain the buy-in of local communities. While there are national and regional differences in the reluctance to adopt CCS, the root cause is generally a lack of understanding. The Commission can play a significant role in this area by supporting national authorities and project developers in communicating the importance of CCS. This is an urgent aspect of the CCS support environment where the Commission's leadership is crucial.

Bottom line: the EU needs a CCS Envoy

The effective deployment of carbon capture in Europe depends on significant advancement on all of these six points. We need a political leader to drive the work forward with the singular focus and commitment that it requires. That is why we are calling on the Commission President to appoint a dedicated CCS Envoy to oversee and coordinate the Commission's activities and demand action from Member States. We believe that the Envoy would be instrumental in creating the enabling conditions necessary for CCS projects to succeed and set the tone for a successful climate policy in this mandate.

If you agree, head across to our petition and add your endorsement to our call for the appointment of a dedicated CCS Envoy.