Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe FAQs

The document argues that CCS is essential for decarbonising hard-to-abate industrial sectors like cement and steel and for achieving net-negative emissions after 2050. It details the technical process of capturing CO2 using amines or membranes and storing it in saline aquifers or depleted reservoirs at depths exceeding 800 metres. The text asserts that geological storage is permanent and safe, with projected annual leak rates as low as 0.0002% in regulated industries. While costs vary by source—ranging from under 90 euro per tonne for fertilisers to 700 euro for direct air capture—the document suggests that government support for shared infrastructure can drive down costs, similar to the trajectory of offshore wind. It highlights approximately 100 proposed projects in Europe, particularly around the North Sea, and notes that the EU may need to capture 300 to 600 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2050.

• CCS is considered necessary for Europe to reach net zero by 2050, particularly for industrial sectors like cement, steel, chemicals, and waste incineration that cannot be easily electrified. The EU's own analysis suggests a requirement to capture between 300 and 600 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2050, representing 11% to 22% of 2021 emissions.
• CO2 is stored in geological formations, such as saline reservoirs or spent oil and gas reservoirs, at depths greater than 800 metres. The process relies on an impermeable 'cap rock' to prevent upward movement, and over centuries, the CO2 dissolves in water or turns into solid minerals.
• Leakage from properly assessed storage sites is described as extremely unlikely, with the IPCC stating stored CO2 is likely to remain isolated for over 1,000 years. A study on well-regulated industries projected average annual leak rates of up to 0.0002%, while a UK government worst-case scenario estimated 0.07% leakage over 100 years.
• Europe has a significant potential storage capacity, estimated at up to 500 billion tonnes of CO2, which could accommodate approximately 300 years of emissions from the region's power generation and industry.
• The cost of CCS varies significantly by the concentration of the CO2 source. Low-cost sources like refineries and fertiliser plants may cost less than 90 euro per tonne, whereas cement and waste-to-energy cost at least 120 euro per tonne, and direct air capture ranges from 350 to 700 euro per tonne.
• There are approximately 100 proposed CCS projects in Europe, with a concentration around the North Sea. Notable developments include Norway's projects in Oslo and the North Sea (expected 2025), a Rotterdam initiative in the Netherlands (expected 2026), and 13 EU Innovation Fund projects across countries including France, Germany, and Poland.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe FAQs. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/25172407/ccs-europe-faqs.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe FAQs. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/25172407/ccs-europe-faqs.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe FAQs |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/25172407/ccs-europe-faqs.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendcarbon, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Carbon Capture and Storage in Europe FAQs}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/25172407/ccs-europe-faqs.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }