Brussels, 2 July 2025 –
The European Commission’s proposal to set a 2040 target of a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions marks a decisive moment in Europe’s climate policy. CCS Europe welcomes the ambition but notes that some aspects of the proposal warrant closer scrutiny, particularly in how they affect the role of industrial decarbonisation technologies like carbon capture and storage.
The inclusion of 3% flexibility from international carbon credits starting in 2036 does raise concerns, as international credits should not replace decarbonisation of EU industries. However, the implementation of this will be critical, and we are looking forward to seeing how the Commission proposes to concretely implement this proposal.
The recognition of carbon removals in the EU Emissions Trading System is a potentially positive step, especially for hard-to-abate sectors, but it is critical that emissions reduction must always come first - and that means CCS.
Finally, the broader push for sectoral flexibility may undermine the momentum for industrial transformation. While flexibility is important, this approach risks sending the wrong signal at a time when CCS should be advancing, not sidelined.
"The 2040 target proposal rightly sets a high level of ambition, but we must ensure that the path to get there strengthens, rather than sidesteps, industrial decarbonisation. Carbon capture and storage must be at the core of Europe’s strategy if we are serious about reaching net-zero. We need a framework that prioritises emissions reduction over compensation and puts clean technologies at the center of competitiveness," said Bergur Løkke Rasmussen, Director of CCS Europe.