As the Fit for 55 package nears completion, the carbon capture and storage (CCS) discussion has reignited in the EU as it has become clear that it will be needed to cut emissions fast. As CCS moves from planning to deployment, in part with the aid of the EU Innovation Fund, the need for a policy framework, based on a robust set of guiding principles and safeguards is needed to facilitate the deployment of critical infrastructure for industrial decarbonisation at scale by 2030. Deployment of CCS in Europe should prioritise high-value applications, and hard-to-electrify industrial processes with unavoidable process emissions, while also implementing appropriate guardrails. These are necessary to achieve greater public acceptance.

We welcome the European Commission’s announcement to publish its Communication on the Strategic Vision on CCUS in early 2023. However, the European Commission’s recently published Work Programme for 2023 excludes plans to publish said Communication. We strongly urge the Commission to grant such a Communication priority, in line with the need and urgency expressed by CCS stakeholders at the CCUS Forum and the commitment made by European Commission officials present.

Download the open letter:

Letter on CCS Strategy