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The document argues that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for Europe to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, particularly for hard-to-abate industrial sectors like cement and steel. It details the technical processes of capture and geological storage, asserts that leakage risks are extremely low, and outlines current project developments in the North Sea region and across the EU. The text also addresses the economic viability of CCS, noting that while costs vary by industry, the technology is often the lowest-cost path for specific industrial decarbonisation and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

The document argues that large-scale deployment of CCS is essential for Europe to reach climate neutrality by 2050, yet current draft NECPs show significant gaps in targets and planning. It provides a framework for Member States to assess storage capacity, map projects, engage stakeholders, and establish financing and regional cooperation for CO2 transport and storage networks.

India's cumulative aligned GSS+ debt reached USD 55.9bn by December 2024, a 186% increase since 2021. Green debt dominates the market, accounting for 83% of the total volume, with low-carbon energy as the primary use of proceeds. The market is supported by sovereign green bonds and evolving regulatory frameworks from SEBI, RBI, and IFSCA. While green debt is mature, social and sustainability segments remain small but show growth potential. Significant investment needs are identified for 2030, particularly in renewable energy (USD 179bn private need) and electric mobility (USD 153bn private need), while hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement require an estimated USD 650bn for decarbonisation.

The report analyzes the current state of transatlantic industrial decarbonization policies, identifying a significant divergence between the EU's regulatory-led approach and the US's subsidy-driven model. It argues that while high-level negotiations on carbon pricing (such as GASSA) have stalled, there is substantial opportunity for cooperation through 'softer' market functions, including R&D, green public procurement, and the harmonization of technical standards. The document provides a detailed SWOT analysis of various policy instruments and technology-specific areas, recommending the creation of dedicated dialogue platforms and innovation hubs to foster a globally interoperable clean economy.

The fact sheet introduces 'transition indicators' as a tool to improve the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions and national adaptation plans. Based on case studies from seven countries, the document asserts that focusing on a few tangible metrics per sector—rather than abstract CO2 targets—facilitates public dialogue, guides policy implementation, and attracts private investment. It provides specific examples of indicators for water security in India, industrial decarbonization in Germany, transport in South Korea, buildings in China, renewable energy in the Netherlands, and sustainable agriculture in Kenya and Indonesia.

The report argues that while US and EU cooperation on carbon pricing and tariffs (such as GASSA and CBAM) has stalled due to diverging political visions, a 'softer' path to alignment is possible. This approach prioritizes cooperation on 'carrots' like R&D and green public procurement, and 'sticks' like the harmonization of carbon standards. The study recommends expanding collaboration beyond hydrogen and carbon capture to include circular economy practices and industrial electrification, utilizing platforms like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to avoid duplication and establish common technology standards.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated $12.1 billion to advance carbon management technologies in the United States. Two years into implementation, the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have launched several key programs. The Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program has selected nine FEED study projects and three demonstration projects, including the Baytown, Project Tundra, and Sutter projects. The Carbon Storage Validation and Testing Program has awarded funding to projects across multiple states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Wyoming, to develop large-scale sequestration and transport infrastructure. Additionally, the EPA has allotted $48 million to 25 state and Tribal recipients to support the regulation of UIC Class VI wells. In the realm of carbon removal, the Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs Program has selected two commercial-scale hubs in Texas and Louisiana for award negotiations. The document notes that while progress is underway, agencies have until 2026 to allocate remaining funds, and future success depends on shared transport networks and community engagement.

Carbon Market Watch (CMW) opposes the current draft of the Free Allocation Regulation (FAR) revision, stating it increases free allowances for industrial sectors and contradicts the political mandate of the EU ETS Directive. CMW identifies critical failures in steel and cement benchmarking, the use of median production levels for Historical Activity Level (HAL) calculations, and an insufficiently ambitious reduction in free allowances for process emissions.

The briefing analyzes four 2023 U.S. Congressional bills: the PROVE IT Act, which focuses on emissions intensity data; the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, which proposes fees on imports exceeding U.S. emissions averages; the Clean Competition Act, which suggests charges for both domestic and imported goods exceeding benchmarks; and the MARKET CHOICE Act, which proposes a broad carbon tax with border adjustments.

The EPA is launching an EPD Assistance Program funded by the Inflation Reduction Act to support the development and standardization of Environmental Product Declarations for construction materials. The program offers grants between $250,000 and $10 million to U.S.-based manufacturers and supporting organizations to facilitate the use of low-embodied carbon materials in government procurement initiatives like Buy Clean.

The report analyzes the impact of amine-based carbon capture retrofits at two petroleum refineries and two cement plants in California and Texas. It finds that because carbon capture systems require the removal of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from flue gas to operate effectively, their installation leads to significant reductions in criteria air pollutants and associated public health improvements. While the systems cause a small increase in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the combined climate and health benefits are estimated to be 1.5 to 4 times greater than the costs of the technology.

The report examines the potential for international cooperation to mitigate the risks of unilateral border carbon adjustments (BCAs), such as 'green protectionism' and trade retaliation. It evaluates the G7 Climate Club, GASSA, and the OECD's IFCMA using a framework of 'input legitimacy' (inclusiveness and institutional strength) and 'output legitimacy' (effectiveness in achieving five specific goals). The analysis finds that while none are currently ideal for BCA cooperation, the IFCMA shows the most promise due to its focus on data and comparability. The report warns that domestic political priorities and existing policy path dependencies, such as the EU's established CBAM, hinder the creation of a unified international approach.

The paper examines how strategic assessments can be used to streamline the approval of clean growth projects in Canada, particularly in light of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on the Impact Assessment Act. It suggests that by shifting the regulatory burden from individual project assessments to broader strategic analyses of policies and systemic issues, Canada can accelerate its energy transition. The author recommends implementing clear triggers, a tiered approach to assessment, and robust outcome tracking, drawing on international examples from the EU and US.

The report evaluates solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) technology, highlighting its superior electrical efficiency when integrated with external heat sources, such as those found in steel, chemical, and nuclear plants. While the technology is more mature than often perceived—leveraging experience from the gigawatt-scale solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) industry—it faces challenges regarding stack durability due to high-temperature thermal stress and the need to scale from small modules to hundred-megawatt systems. The report finds that raw material supply chains are not a bottleneck and that gigawatt-scale manufacturing is feasible within 18 to 36 months.

The report identifies 30 companies, termed the "emissions aristocracy," that were responsible for over 50% of total EU ETS emissions in 2022. While the power sector has seen significant emission reductions since 2013 due to the absence of free allowances, heavy industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals have experienced stagnant progress. The author argues that free allowances create windfall profits and remove the financial incentive to innovate, calling for a transition to full auctioning by 2030 to ensure the polluter pays principle is upheld.

The Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP), funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, is moving into the review phase for applications. The program will invest $6.3 billion to decarbonize high-emitting sectors such as iron, steel, cement, and chemicals. The Clean Air Task Force recommends that the Department of Energy define 'transformational' projects broadly, reserve funds for ongoing project support, and ensure a balance between deep decarbonization and community benefits. Additionally, the document calls for increased collaboration between private industry competitors and stronger policy support from state governments to meet federal funding deadlines by September 30, 2026.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recommends that the EU prioritise 'no regrets' industrial sectors for hydrogen deployment, utilize all clean production pathways (including 'blue' hydrogen), and site production close to consumption to minimize transport inefficiencies. The report emphasizes that public funding should be matched to projects that provide socio-economic benefits to local communities and that a comprehensive EU database should be established to ensure transparency and collaboration.

The report identifies clinker production as the primary source of emissions in the cement sector, accounting for 88% of total emissions. It evaluates three main decarbonization levers: substituting clinker with materials like fly ash and calcined clay, replacing coal and gas with biomass, waste, or green hydrogen, and deploying CCUS. While some progress is noted in developed markets, the report warns that absolute emissions will rise as production grows in emerging markets like India and Africa unless green processes are scaled. Key barriers include supply constraints for substitutes, high upfront costs for CCUS, and a lack of carbon transport infrastructure in high-growth regions.

The briefing outlines five recommendations to enhance the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) to meet Europe's climate goals, focusing on increasing CO2 storage capacity, creating an EU-level aggregation platform for CO2 markets, improving Member State mapping of storage potential, leveraging oil and gas sector resources, and accelerating infrastructure permitting.

The briefing asserts that current Nationally Determined Contributions are collectively insufficient to meet Paris Agreement temperature goals, necessitating that the Global Stocktake provide clear, sector-specific mitigation actions and targets. It proposes a comprehensive list of actions—including phasing out fossil fuels and subsidies, boosting renewables, and decarbonizing industry—to inform the 2030 and 2035 time horizons. The author suggests these outputs be integrated into the CMA cover decision or technical annexes and provide a structured guidance framework for Parties to update their NDCs with achievable targets aligned with IPCC emission reduction goals.