High-level conference on Sustainable energy policies: Carbon capture and storage as part of the so...

The event outlined and explained the main reasons for developing a legal framework for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the EU. The framework was presented and commented on in the context of its legal provisions, demonstration projects, further R&D, as well as future deployment.

It was generally agreed that the proposed framework addresses all the key issues related to environmentally safe deployment of CCS in the EU. The rationale for enabling CCS in view of the required efforts to meet the EU and global climate objectives was endorsed by participants.

Some discussants expressed the view that CCS should be made mandatory rather than deployed only via market instruments. WWF praised the development and the adoption by the Commission of the enabling framework for CCS, but argued against mandating the application of CCS in the European power sector. In their view, the European Commission should propose mandatory emissions sealings for all new and existing power stations as a flexible alternative that would promote cost-effectiveness among CO₂ reduction technologies.

There was agreement that the public should be continuously informed about the technology and its features. The industry made a case that financing CCS technologies in the demonstration phase is of utmost importance. In this context, the proposal of the Commissions to re-distribute the future revenue from auctioning of EU ETS allowances towards greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures, climate change adaptation measures and towards the development of low-carbon technologies, including CCS was welcomed.

The Enabling legal framework was recognised as an important step forward in EU climate change policies. The proposal for the enabling legal framework will be now discussed in the European Parliament and the Council. The Commission looks forward to this process and its successful conclusion.

• Agenda
• Presentations
  • Presentation by the European Commission: Enabling legal framework for carbon capture and storage
  • Presentation by the European Commission: Communication on Supporting Early Demonstration of Sustainable Power Generation from Fossil Fuels
  • Presentation by the European Commission: EC support to research and international cooperation in Carbon Capture and Storage
  • Views from the Zero Emissions Technology Platform (ZEP): The EU Flagship Programme for CCS . The key to achieving Europe 's CO­ 2 emission targets
  • Views from NGOs (WWF): CCS – an uncomfortable but necessary option

Location