The Commission’s 2026 proposal to revise the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) introduces a new mechanism: the “Invest in EU Decarbonisation Plans”. From 2031, many industrial installations could have to invest in decarbonisation to retain their full free allocation. This post unpacks the mechanism, explaining what the plan requires, how free allocation would be distributed,Continue reading “Unpacking the new “Invest in EU Decarbonisation Plans” conditionality “
Author Archives: Laura Morales
Standardising carbon management: Building a seamless CO₂ market and infrastructure across Europe
As CO2 networks expand across national borders, harmonised standards are needed to ensure safety, interoperability, and system integrity; and ultimately to enable large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage across Europe. Two bodies lead this work at the international and European level: ISO/TC 265 and CEN/TC 474, with which Carbon Management Europe engages as aContinue reading “Standardising carbon management: Building a seamless CO₂ market and infrastructure across Europe”
Why is the EU ETS review setting aside 260 million allowances to buy international credits?
On 17 July 2026, the European Commission issued its proposal for the EU ETS review, setting aside 260 million allowances to buy international credits. But where does that number come from? The European Climate Law allows up to 5% of the EU’s 1990 net GHG emissions to be met with high-quality international credits from 2036,Continue reading “Why is the EU ETS review setting aside 260 million allowances to buy international credits?”
EU ETS review marks a turning point for industrial carbon management, but key design choices still lie ahead
The European Commission’s proposal to revise the EU ETS introduces the first mechanism linking domestic permanent carbon removals with the EU carbon market, expands the regulatory framework for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCS/CCU), and strengthens financial support for industrial decarbonisation, including through the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank. Several elements of the proposal reflect recommendations previouslyContinue reading “EU ETS review marks a turning point for industrial carbon management, but key design choices still lie ahead”
Is CO₂ storage the main bottleneck? A value chain reality check on scaling CCS in Europe
Europe is entering a decisive phase for carbon capture and storage (CCS). Policy momentum is growing, industrial actors are announcing capture projects across multiple sectors, and cross-border transport and storage infrastructure is being planned. However, as deployment accelerates, industry discussions keep circling back to two questions: Is the lack of CO₂ storage capacity the main bottleneck? How much of the challenge lies elsewhereContinue reading “Is CO₂ storage the main bottleneck? A value chain reality check on scaling CCS in Europe”
The latest trends shaping industrial carbon management: Insights from the Projects Network 2026
Last month, Carbon Management Europe organised its Projects Network during the Knowledge Sharing Summit in Norway. The event brought together more than 450 participants to discuss the operational and commercial realities of scaling industrial carbon management across Europe. One message emerged clearly throughout the summit: the main challenges are no longer limited to proving carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Increasingly, theContinue reading “The latest trends shaping industrial carbon management: Insights from the Projects Network 2026 “
EU Carbon Removal Buyers’ Club is set to become a pillar of Europe’s carbon removal market
Day 1 of the first-ever CRCF Days in Brussels put the EU Carbon Removal Buyers’ Club at the centre of Europe’s carbon removal agenda. The multi-stakeholder forum, hosted by the European Commission’s DG CLIMA, brought together buyers, project developers, financiers, and Member State representatives to advance the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). With Day 1 dedicated to permanentContinue reading “EU Carbon Removal Buyers’ Club is set to become a pillar of Europe’s carbon removal market”
A new paper charts how an EU Carbon Removal Buyers’ Club can drive demand for carbon removals
Carbon Management Europe and Carbon Gap have published a discussion paper examining how a structured mechanism for aggregating demand could help unlock private investment capital for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in Europe. The paper is released on the eve of the European Commission’s first CRCF Days, where the concept will be discussed in a dedicatedContinue reading “A new paper charts how an EU Carbon Removal Buyers’ Club can drive demand for carbon removals”
From barrier to enabler: the role of the London Protocol in advancing CCS across Europe
Drawing on Carbon Management Europe’s (formerly Zero Emissions Platform/ZEP) participation in the latest Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the London Protocol, this article explains how the legal framework for cross-border CO₂ transport and offshore storage has evolved, where it stands today, and how it connects to the upcoming EU framework for CO₂ transport andContinue reading “From barrier to enabler: the role of the London Protocol in advancing CCS across Europe”
Industrial Accelerator Act supports EU industry, but must strengthen demand for low-carbon production
Brussels, 4 March 2026 – Published today, the European Commission proposal for an Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) aims at strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the EU manufacturing sector while accelerating decarbonisation in strategic sectors. This is an important step forward in advancing the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal and climate neutrality. However, to unlock large-scale investment in low-carbon industrial production, it must deliver stronger and more comprehensive lead market measures. In recent years, the EU has increased support for clean industrial production. But demand for low-carbonContinue reading “Industrial Accelerator Act supports EU industry, but must strengthen demand for low-carbon production”