EU targets 50 million tonnes of CO2 storage by 2030 but faces permitting and market hurdles

The European Commission reports that progress toward a 2030 target of injecting 50 million tonnes of CO2 per year into geological storage is well underway, with the first sites expected to start operating this year. Stakeholders at a recent meeting called for faster permitting, stronger cross-border cooperation, and clearer market demand signals to scale up carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure across the EU. Key obstacles include slow permitting, lack of transparency, and the need for open access to CO2 transport and storage networks. The Innovation Fund is backing early projects, but participants stressed that stronger demand for low-carbon products, including through public procurement, is needed to drive investment. The European Commission plans to propose measures to support CO2 transport infrastructure and markets by the end of 2026.