ABSTRACT
The legal framework for Carbon dioxide capture and
geological storage (CCS) in the EU is modelled
largely by the EU CCS directive (Directive
2009/31/EC of 23
April 2009). This directive de-
scribes CCS as the capture of carbon dioxide from
industrial installations, its transport to a storage site
and its injection into a suitable underground geo-
logical formation for the purpose of permanent stor-
age. CCS is regarded by the EU as a bridging tech-
nology that will contribute to mitigating climate
change. It is estimated that up to 160 million tonnes
of CO
could be stored by 2030, accounting for
some 15% of the reduction then required by the EU.
CCS therefore is regarded as a priority of strategic
importance in the development of new energy tech-
nologies (European Commission, Communication
COM(2008) 13). Importantly though, CCS should
neither serve as an incentive to increase the share of
fossil fuel power plants nor should it hamper efforts
to support other low carbon technologies (recitals 4,
5 of the CCS directive).
