Carbon capture and storage


photo: foto43

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology involves the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by power stations and industry, transport of CO2 in compressed liquid form through a network of pipelines, and injection of CO2 underground for permanent geological storage. The components of CCS are available technologies but CCS has not yet been demonstrated at commercial scale. CCS has important potential as a climate solution for fossil fuel power stations and industry – in the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

Large-scale, commercial demonstration of CCS is a priority

As part of a global solution that will ensure global average temperature increases do not exceed 2°C, the EU needs to accelerate commercial-scale demonstration of CCS technologies in the public interest. Once demonstrated, CCS should be deployed on the new generations of coal power stations being planned and built around the world.

In December 2008, the EU agreed to include a mechanism for financing large-scale, commercial demonstration of CCS and renewable energy technologies. The design of the programme will be undertaken by the European Commission in 2009.

ClientEarth will be monitoring developments to ensure the programme delivers good-value financing for low-carbon technology development, and provides the basis for learning and technology transfer in the public interest.

New EU framework will remove the major legal barriers to geological storage of CO2

Existing regulations are one of the key barriers to demonstrating CCS technologies, in particular onshore and offshore geological storage of CO2. This barrier will be overcome with the introduction of a new EU Directive on Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide. The regulatory framework will not deliver CCS but it is a necessary condition for large-scale demonstration. It is also a first step towards developing industry, regulatory and community confidence in the environmental integrity of storing CO2. The Directive puts in place strong safeguards for site selection so that only sites that do not present significant risks of leakage or environmental or human health impacts can be used for geological storage. Countries in the EU intending to allow CO2 storage now have to implement the Directive and set up national permitting systems.

ClientEarth’s report on the proposed legal framework provides a detailed review of the EU Directive

 ClientEarth will continue to track the Directive in 2009 when countries will be implementing the legislation, and the EU will be addressing such issues as delivering a CCS demonstration programme.


Related Links:

Laying the regulatory foundations for carbon capture and storage in the EU: a legal review of the draft European Directive on Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide. 

Legal briefing on corrective measures and liability for CO2 storage