The Carbon Capture and Storage Association, along with 50 companies including Drax, ENGIE, and Eni, has sent an open letter to EU and UK leaders. They want clearer rules on how carbon capture, transport, and storage projects will work once the two emissions trading systems are linked. The letter warns that missing regulatory details are already slowing cross-border projects and could stall investment decisions needed for 2030 climate targets. Industry groups say 2026 is a critical year for European CCUS, with many projects ready to move forward. But without legal recognition for cross-border CO2 transport and storage, developers cannot commit to long-term investments. The signatories are asking for a clear timeline and implementation roadmap ahead of the next EU-UK Summit, not just a political commitment. The core issue is that ETS linkage alone does not solve the regulatory gaps for physical CO2 movement between the UK and EU. Companies need to know which rules apply, how permits transfer, and when the framework will be ready. Without that, Europe risks losing its edge in building a carbon management value chain.
