Work

Policies and other factors influencing deployment of CO2 geostorage: Learnings from early mover nations in Europe

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The European Union has set ambitious emission reduction goals, aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050. Long-term geological storage (geostorage) of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in subsurface reservoirs is one solution but the status of regulatory frameworks and commercial incentives across European countries varies. Examples from first-mover nations, including the Netherlands, the UK, and Norway, indicate that successful deployment of geostorage depends on clear policy and regulatory frameworks and the enshrinement of geostorage into national climate action plans. Additional actions beyond policy that benefit geostorage include targeted financial mechanisms, time-limited financial incentives, leveraging carbon taxes, state ownership pivoting to private investment, and community engagement. Efficiencies are evidenced by reuse of infrastructure to reduce investment cost, use of industrial clusters, and cross-border collaboration, as well as synergies with decarbonising complementary markets such as cement, heavy industry, fertilizer production and hydrogen production. An overview of existing policies and incentives in the Netherlands, the UK and Norway is presented, and potential learnings for jurisdictions at an earlier stage of geostorage deployment are discussed.

Source: International journal of greenhouse gas control

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2025.104445

Authors: Kyla Bishop, Kara L. English

Institutions: University College Dublin, Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Sequestration and Geologic Interactions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,100