CCS Europe Newsletter 

HEADLINE NEWS

The EU’s competitiveness finally gets direction (yes, this is a compass pun). The EU’s new College of Commissioners has shown its hand, with the publication of the Competitiveness Compass as their first big move. So, what does this mean for CCS? Well, Brussels is talking about incentivising low-carbon products (yes, please!), ramping up investment in energy infrastructure (including CO₂ transport and storage), and launching an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act. Bonus: a fresh EU Port and Maritime Strategy is in the works, and we’re wondering… will CO₂ transport get a seat at the table? 👀 

Meanwhile, Norway continues to lead the CCS charge, with Hafslund Celsio reaching a Final Investment Decision to equip the Klemetsrud waste-to-energy facility with carbon capture. With backing from Aker Solutions and SLB Capturi, the plant is set to slash Oslo’s CO2 emissions by 20%. Better yet, half the waste is organic, meaning this could actually reduce CO2 already in the atmosphere. The countdown is on for operations to begin in 2029. To make sure CCS finally makes its way to the EU, we’ve spelled out what the new Commission should focus on in their first 100 days to ensure the necessary scale-up of industrial carbon management—check out our recommendations. Only 31 days left… 

NECPs, NECPs… Five more countries have finally answered the call, with Cyprus, Czechia, Malta, Greece, and Slovenia submitting their National Energy and Climate Plans. That’s progress—but we’re still waiting on the rest of the pack.  

NECPs are a crucial metric of how serious each country is about climate change, and by extension CCS, and we’ve been busy grading them accordingly. So how did this latest batch do on CCS? Not great. Let’s just say they won’t be winning any gold stars—Greece came out on top, but that’s a pretty low bar when the rest barely acknowledged the technology. Want to see how your country stacks up? Check out our interactive NECP assessment map—and if your government is still dragging its feet, maybe give them a nudge. ⏳ 

The Net Zero Industry Act set a clear goal: Europe needs large-scale CO₂ storage, and fast. Now, it’s up to the Commission, Member States, and industry to work together to make it happen. Meeting these targets will require coordination, investment, and a clear framework to ensure storage capacity is developed at the pace required. The clock is ticking, and teamwork is non-negotiable. 

OUR ACTIVITIES

The Industrial Carbon Management Strategy turns one! 🎂 But instead of cake, we’re serving a reality check. One year on, only one major CCS project has moved forward in Europe. CCS Europe’s Chris Davies has written to President von der Leyen, calling for clearer leadership, an EU-wide Action Plan, and serious investment incentives. Because hard-to-abate industries won’t decarbonise themselves… Read the letter to find out more.

Three meetings, three solid conversations, and zero dull moments. The German and Swedish Perm Reps were all ears as we talked CCS strategy, and MEP Kristian Vigenin (S&D, BG) got the inside scoop on why this tech is a climate must-have. Turns out, the new year is already bringing plenty of CCS buzz. 

 
More than just a pipe dream. What do you get when you put CCS Europe, the European Commission, Parliament, and Council officials in a room together? A policy discussion, of course. But put them in Rotterdam (or to be more precise, its port)? A hands-on tour of one of Europe’s most ambitious CCS projects, the Porthos CO2 Storage and Transport project. Our visit was a reminder that CCS isn’t just a “someday” solution—it’s real, it’s happening, and it’s literally being built under our feet.  

Lesson of the day? Building CCS takes more than ambition. It takes pipelines, permits, and political will. And we’re here to make sure all 3️⃣happen, as fast as possible. ⏱️ 

At our European Parliament breakfast with CEMBUREAU and Seán Kelly MEP, we served up coffee and some cold, hard facts on CCS for energy-intensive industries. The room was full, the discussion was lively, and the message was crystal clear: CCS is non-negotiable for net zero. Now, all we need is for Europe to put its money where its mouth is. 

CCS DEVELOPMENTS FROM AROUND THE BLOC

As always, the team at CCS Europe HQ has been on high alert, tracking the latest and greatest in carbon capture and storage across the continent. Here are the big updates that caught our eye this month: 

Denmark just dropped its fourth tender round for coastal CO2 storage exploration, pinpointing three key locations - Jammerbugt, Lisa, and Inez. After a thorough strategic environmental assessment, the Danes are once again proving they mean business on climate action. If only more EU countries followed suit… (Carbon Herald) 

And over in Greece, HERACLES Group and Air Liquide are making serious moves on CCS with the Olympus Carbon Capture Project. This game-changing initiative at the Milaki plant will capture, liquefy, and transport 1 million tons of CO₂ per year, making it one of Europe’s largest CCS projects. With support from the EU Innovation Fund and storage plans in the Prinos offshore facility, Olympus is gearing up for full-scale operations by 2029. The net-zero race just got a little more exciting. (Carbon Herald) 

LOOKING AHEAD: FEBRUARY 👀