Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SSZEPIWG9 (Support stakeholders on Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage of ETIP ZEP and IWG9)
Période du rapport: 2024-07-01 au 2025-06-30
The overarching goal of this project was to bring together a strong network of CCS and CCU stakeholders – effectively coordinating the activities of ETIP ZEP and the SET-Plan Implementation Plan Working Group (IWG9) – to support the implementation of the SET Plan. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) projects are necessary for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050. Supporting stakeholders – including industry, researchers, public authorities, civil society – to accelerate the research and innovation activities and to progress the policy priorities will be crucial to reach the 2030 and 2040 targets, and climate neutrality by 2050. The project created clear recommendations to achieve that goal.
This was achieved by:
• efficiently aligning and coordinating the activities of ETIP ZEP and the IWG9 in a joint work programme,
• establishing networks and other fora to enable the stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate effectively, pooling expertise, experience and resources to address common challenges,
• engaging also with other programmes and external stakeholders,
• facilitating engagement and creating greater interaction and cohesion between the different CCUS activities,
• supporting the CCS/CCU community to develop clear strategies and recommendations, accompanied by a strong continuous programme for outreach, dissemination and communication.
This was achieved by:
• efficiently aligning and coordinating the activities of ETIP ZEP and the IWG9 in a joint work programme,
• establishing networks and other fora to enable the stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate effectively, pooling expertise, experience and resources to address common challenges,
• engaging also with other programmes and external stakeholders,
• facilitating engagement and creating greater interaction and cohesion between the different CCUS activities,
• supporting the CCS/CCU community to develop clear strategies and recommendations, accompanied by a strong continuous programme for outreach, dissemination and communication.
The project created meetings and activities gathering a wide range of stakeholders to agree on actions required to progress the deployment of CCS and CCU in Europe.
The first year of the project has been extremely active with many achievements and successes, including:
• Executing the IWG9/ZEP coordination: we organised 29 Advisory and Network meetings and 36 working group meetings.
• Responding to consultations and organising webinars on CO2 storage and transport infrastructure. Active communications with social media, op-eds and presentations.
• Report on biodiversity and preparing reports on CO2 transport by ship, on supply chains, and on specifications for transport.
• Support to the EC CCUS Forum. Active input to the Green Deal Industrial Plan and the Net Zero Industry Act.
• Net-Zero Within Reach conference in April 2023 with 200 in-person attendees
The second year of the project was equally impactful, with a large momentum for CCS and CCU in the market and amongst policymakers. The publication of the EU’s Industrial Carbon Management Strategy really is a landmark achievement and has its foundations in the very strong connections with the EU Commission
Results for the second year included
• Delivery of the grant – full continuation of service despite personnel and structural changes
• Alignment on important policy files and developments, notably on critical EU policy initiatives such as the Net-Zero Industry Act, the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and the Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
• Support for CCS projects – with the launch of the Projects Network, the ZEP is now executing its strategy to focus not also on the deployment of CCS.
• Thought leadership – reports on CO2 transport by ship, on public perception of CCS and the Just Transition. As for the IWG9, the key result in this context is the review of the CCUS SET Plan targets.
The third and last year of the project proved to be impactful as well, especially due to the increased interest in CCUS through the publication of the Clean Industrial Deal and the implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act.
The third year of the project saw significant impact from the following activities:
• The hosting of multiple workshops with topics such as project financing, insurance and CO2 Storage Monitoring.
• The increased interest in the financial aspect led to the implementation of a Financing WG under the Policy and Economics Committee.
• The successful organisation and hosting of 2 flagship events: the European ICM Summit in Brussels, Belgium, and the Projects Network event in Bologna, Italy.
• The publication of the review of the SET Plan CCUS R&I Activities and Targets.
The first year of the project has been extremely active with many achievements and successes, including:
• Executing the IWG9/ZEP coordination: we organised 29 Advisory and Network meetings and 36 working group meetings.
• Responding to consultations and organising webinars on CO2 storage and transport infrastructure. Active communications with social media, op-eds and presentations.
• Report on biodiversity and preparing reports on CO2 transport by ship, on supply chains, and on specifications for transport.
• Support to the EC CCUS Forum. Active input to the Green Deal Industrial Plan and the Net Zero Industry Act.
• Net-Zero Within Reach conference in April 2023 with 200 in-person attendees
The second year of the project was equally impactful, with a large momentum for CCS and CCU in the market and amongst policymakers. The publication of the EU’s Industrial Carbon Management Strategy really is a landmark achievement and has its foundations in the very strong connections with the EU Commission
Results for the second year included
• Delivery of the grant – full continuation of service despite personnel and structural changes
• Alignment on important policy files and developments, notably on critical EU policy initiatives such as the Net-Zero Industry Act, the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and the Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
• Support for CCS projects – with the launch of the Projects Network, the ZEP is now executing its strategy to focus not also on the deployment of CCS.
• Thought leadership – reports on CO2 transport by ship, on public perception of CCS and the Just Transition. As for the IWG9, the key result in this context is the review of the CCUS SET Plan targets.
The third and last year of the project proved to be impactful as well, especially due to the increased interest in CCUS through the publication of the Clean Industrial Deal and the implementation of the Net Zero Industry Act.
The third year of the project saw significant impact from the following activities:
• The hosting of multiple workshops with topics such as project financing, insurance and CO2 Storage Monitoring.
• The increased interest in the financial aspect led to the implementation of a Financing WG under the Policy and Economics Committee.
• The successful organisation and hosting of 2 flagship events: the European ICM Summit in Brussels, Belgium, and the Projects Network event in Bologna, Italy.
• The publication of the review of the SET Plan CCUS R&I Activities and Targets.
Bringing together stakeholders in this strong inclusive network resulted in a deep understanding of the need for CCS and CCU as well as the steps Europe needs to take to make the development and deployment a reality. This leadership is widely appreciated by EU and national policymakers, the financial community and the CCS and CCU community. As the decarbonisation agenda increases in prominence, this project continued to provide the high-quality input that is needed to make the transition successful.
Focus areas for the continuation of the project are many, including recommendations on CCUS R&I activities and the link between deployment and the need for further R&I, development of standards and methodologies for CDR and carbon markets, enabling the clean hydrogen economy, supporting the delivery of industrial-scale CCS and CCU projects and helping Member States to include CCS and CCU in their plans and strategies.
The project also made important contribution to many key societal challenges, such as showing how Europe can undertake practical action to address both decarbonisation and industrial growth and thus take on global clean technology leadership, supporting industries and associated communities to transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring that no communities are left behind.
Focus areas for the continuation of the project are many, including recommendations on CCUS R&I activities and the link between deployment and the need for further R&I, development of standards and methodologies for CDR and carbon markets, enabling the clean hydrogen economy, supporting the delivery of industrial-scale CCS and CCU projects and helping Member States to include CCS and CCU in their plans and strategies.
The project also made important contribution to many key societal challenges, such as showing how Europe can undertake practical action to address both decarbonisation and industrial growth and thus take on global clean technology leadership, supporting industries and associated communities to transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring that no communities are left behind.