Project
The project addresses the “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation” programme area by focusing on the challenge of achieving the deep reduction of GHG emissions across all sectors of the European economy by 2050 through deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies (learn more about CCS here).
Recent advances in several key areas (RES, energy storage, electric vehicles) allow significant GHG cuts but are not sufficient to reach deep decarbonisation consistent with Paris Agreement, as recognised by IEA in its technology assessments and various modelling studies by both EU institutions and independent researchers. CCS deployment may reduce industrial emissions, provide low-carbon industrial heat and improve the security of electricity supply by complementing short-term energy storage. However, its large-scale implementation requires a long-term policy framework. At the moment, the topic is not present in the mainstream debate on climate policy in the CEE countries. This may lead to uneven progress in CCS deployment across Europe, resulting in increased catching-up costs as well as missed opportunities for national development and regional cooperation. The project is designed to counteract this scenario.
Project goal
The project aims to renew the discussion on the long-term deployment of CCS in the CEE region, leading to new policies and joint projects. It is expected that building evidence-based consensus among key stakeholders will pave the way to implement concrete policies and ventures. This will be achieved through combining analytical work with outreach, communication and capacity-building activities, in the form of series of national and regional publications and events focused on the importance of timely CCS deployment and associated international cooperation.
Scope and phases
The project will cover Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, the Baltic states and Ukraine with the support of expertise partner from Norway (learn more about project partners here).
The three phases are envisioned:
- Determination of the starting point: assessment of current state and potential of technological options, as well as European policy landscape and national contexts,
- Development of national roadmaps as well as regional cooperation roadmap for CCS deployment in the CEE region,
- Supporting implementation of the roadmaps through networking and capacity building events.
The project will target national and local policymakers, business sector, research institutions and civil society. This will support the emergence of a socially accepted mix of appropriate policies, R&D and deployment activities. The project will ultimately benefit the CEE societies by supporting the timely implementation of CCS technologies which will ensure smooth low-carbon transition.
Transnationality
Its transnational nature will provide significant added value, including 1) increased effectiveness and efficiency through coordinating analytical and outreach activities across several CEE countries facing similar challenges related to limited resources and lack of awareness of the CCS role in long-term climate policy, 2) unlocking potential for mobilisation of a broad range of competencies through international cooperation, which is necessary to efficiently deploy CCS in the region, 3) broadening the scope of European climate ambition, by covering Eastern Partnership country (Ukraine).
The project is designed to provide the basis for supporting initiatives and policy-based international collaboration beyond the funding period. The dedicated platform will be set up based on the project consortium during the third phase of the project. Its members will seek to expand its geographical coverage, utilising existing partnerships and future funding opportunities on European and national levels.
About EEA and Norway Grants
The EEA and Norway Grants are funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Grants have two goals – to contribute to a more equal Europe, both socially and economically – and to strengthen the relations between Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and the 15 beneficiary countries in Europe.
About the Fund for Regional Cooperation
The Fund for Regional Cooperation supports projects tackling common European challenges through regional cross-border and transnational cooperation.