On 30 September 2026, our project partner Bellona Europa hosted a breakfast seminar for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at the European Parliament, in cooperation with MEP Niels Flemming Hansen. The seminar focused on the role of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in Europe's industrial decarbonisation and the upcoming CO₂ Transportation Infrastructure and Markets legislative initiative.

The event featured Tom Mikunda of Bellona Europa, who presented Bellona's work within the COREu project and shared insights on why CCS is needed to decarbonise Europe and how the upcoming CO₂ Transportation Infrastructure and Markets legislative initiative can help create an effective framework for CCS deployment. Additional perspectivies were provided by representatives from Gasunie, co-developer of the Porthos and Aramis CO₂ networks, and cement company Heidelberg Materials, who highlighted challenges that the forthcoming regulation can address.

CCS as a key enabler for industrial decarbonisation

Speakers emphasised that CCS is an important tool for industrial decarbonisation, although it is not a standalone solution and must be developed alongside other climate mitigation measures, such as renewable energy. In particular, CCS is considered critical for hard-to-abate industries such as cement production, where a large share of emissions results from industrial processes and cannot be eliminated through electrification or alternative fuels alone. While CCS technologies are becoming increasingly mature, speakers highlighted that Europe should now focus on developing the infrastructure and regulatory framework required for large-scale deployment.

EU-wide coordination

A key theme throughout the seminar was the need for coordinated European planning of CO₂ transport infrastructure. Future CCS deployment will require extensive cross-border infrastructure, including pipelines, shipping routes, ports, terminals and storage facilities. Strategic planning at European level will be essential to ensure infrastructure is developed efficiently and can accommodate growing volumes of captured CO₂ over time.

Currently, while some countries have made significant progress in developing CCS frameworks, approaches differ considerably across Member States. This fragmentation creates uncertainty for investors and project developers, particularly for cross-border CO₂ transport projects. Hence, future CO₂ transport networks should be planned as integrated European systems rather than as isolated national projects. Industry representatives stressed the importance of:

• Clear and predictable rules for CO₂ transport and storage,
• Transparent and fair third-party access to transport infrastructure,
• Harmonised approaches to tariff setting and network expansion,
• Better coordination between national and European regulatory frameworks, and
• Risk-sharing mechanisms that can help reduce investment uncertainty

The seminar also addressed the need for reducing investment risks and increasing market demand for CCS. CCS project costs remain high and often exceed current carbon prices under the EU Emissions Trading System. Participants highlighted the importance of public support mechanisms, including Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs), as well as improved alignment between European and national funding instruments. In addition, public procurement could help create demand for low-carbon products, including cement and concrete produced using CCS technologies.

The overall conclusion of the seminar was clear: CCS technology is advancing rapidly, but achieving large-scale deployment will require coordinated action across infrastructure development, market design and regulation.

As the European Commission prepares its forthcoming legislative proposal on CO₂ Markets and Transportation Infrastructure, discussions such as this provide valuable opportunities for policymakers, industry and infrastructure developers to exchange perspectives and help shape the future of Europe's CCS ecosystem.

Read the position paper from Bellona Europa: EU CO₂ Markets and Infrastructure Legislation: policy and recommendations for enabling industrial decarbonisation