Regulating CO2 transportation infrastructure

Regulating CO2 transportation infrastructure: Exploring European approaches and future policy directions

On 30 January 2025, the European Commission announced the allocation of almost €250 million from its Connecting Europe Facility to support the construction of three projects and fund nine preparatory studies for CCS infrastructures. This financial support follows the Net Zero Industry Act (June 2024), which set a capture capacity target of 50 MtCO₂ per year by 2030. However, in contrast to these developments, NGOs have sent a letter to Commission President Von der Leyen calling for the urgent development of an EU Action Plan for CCS—specifically calling for the regulation of CO₂ transportation infrastructures. In light of this context, the debate will focus on regulating CCS transportation.

Recent European developments demonstrate a growing interest in CCS. In 2024, the Net Zero Industry Act established a storage target of 50 MtCO₂ per year by 2030 and imposed an obligation on oil and gas companies to contribute to this goal. To meet these targets, the EU has expanded several funding mechanisms, including the Connect Europe Facility (CEF) fund, the Innovation Fund, and Horizon Europe. Similarly, the European Commission has published Revised Guidance on the 2009 CCS Directive (2009/31/EC) for CO₂ storage.

However, little attention has been paid to regulating transportation infrastructure. The 2009 CCS Directive briefly addresses CO₂ transportation regulation, and the Revised Guidance offers no further clarification. Interestingly, the 2023 DG Ener report “EU Regulation for the Development of the Market for CO₂ Transport and Storage” explores various regulatory options for CO₂ transportation infrastructure but does not recommend a preferred model. At the national level, significant regulatory disparities exist, with countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom taking major regularory initiatives.

Against this background, Adrien Nicolle from FSR will present insights from his co-authored paper, which introduces an analytic model for CO₂ pipeline transportation. Following his presentation, the debate will offer different visions for regulating transportation infrastructure, drawing on expert opinions from the panel. The session, moderated by Marzia Sesini and Nicolò Rossetto from FSR, will invite audience participation for an engaging and thought-provoking dialogue.