September 16, 2025
Accelerating Europe’s Industrial Decarbonization: GIE Outlines Strategy for CO₂ Transport, Storage, and CCUS Investment
Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) released its position paper on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS), providing a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate industrial decarbonisation across Europe. The paper highlights the pivotal role of CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure in achieving the EU’s climate and energy targets, while outlining key measures to de-risk investments, unlock financing, and ensure timely project delivery.
Access to affordable CCUS will be indispensable for the industry in achieving Europe’s climate objectives. To deliver on the EU’s ambitious storage targets, CO₂ infrastructure must be prioritised as a strategic asset. With characteristics of a natural monopoly, it requires a clear regulatory framework that guarantees non-discriminatory, open, and fair access while ensuring cost recovery for infrastructure operators.
Long-term CO₂ transport and storage contracts with industrial emitters are essential to provide revenue certainty for infrastructure operators. Such agreements, combined with appropriate funding support, help industrial companies manage infrastructure costs while guaranteeing long-term access to CCUS networks. Contracts for Differences (CfDs/CCfDs) are highlighted as an effective tool to stabilise revenues for CCUS projects, mitigating risks from carbon price volatility. GIE calls for adaptations to EU State Aid rules to facilitate CCUS deployment and ensure timely industry decarbonisation.
The paper also underlines the importance of the role of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) as neutral CO₂ network operators. Their expertise, neutrality, and established role in Europe’s energy system can help ensure transparency and fair market conditions as CCUS develops.
Technical requirements are another cornerstone: CO₂ quality harmonisation standards set by European standardisation bodies, such as CEN, are essential to guarantee safe, reliable transport and cross-border interoperability. International cooperation is equally vital. Ratifying the London Protocol and ensuring mutual recognition of permanent CO₂ storage with neighbouring non-EU countries will enable cost savings and enhance efficiency.
Finally, permitting procedures must be streamlined to minimise delays and accelerate project deployment. Coordinated public and private funding – through instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), IPCEIs, and the proposed Industrial Decarbonisation Bank – will be critical to supporting integrated CCUS projects and enabling anticipatory investment.
With decades of experience in gas infrastructure, GIE and its members stand ready to develop and operate CO₂ transport and storage networks that connect emitters with storage sites, scale up CCUS, and support Europe’s path to climate neutrality.
Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 72 member companies from 25 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.
