Carbon Catalyst welcomes the Joint Statement on Bilateral Cooperation between the United Kingdom and Belgium, which marks an important milestone in the development of cross-border carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chains between the UK and the European Union.
The statement reflects continued progress by the UK Government, working with EU partners and Belgium in particular, towards opening up UK offshore CO₂ storage capacity to emissions originating in Europe. This represents a pragmatic, mutually beneficial approach to decarbonisation: enabling EU emitters to access high-quality geological storage resources, while supporting the efficient utilisation and scale-up of UK storage infrastructure.
Enabling Cross-Border CO₂ Transport and Storage
A key element of the Joint Statement is the shared ambition to conclude, in the first half of 2026, a bilateral arrangement under the London Protocol to enable the cross-border transportation of CO₂ for the purpose of permanent geological storage. This step is critical to unlocking international CCS value chains and providing the regulatory certainty required for investment in capture, transport and storage infrastructure.
As industrial decarbonisation accelerates across Europe, the ability to move CO₂ safely and efficiently across borders will be essential. Few countries possess the combination of offshore geology, storage capacity and operational experience that the UK offers. Cooperation with neighbouring states such as Belgium allows CCS deployment to progress at pace, while avoiding duplication of infrastructure and maximising system-wide efficiency.
The Role of the Poseidon CO₂ Storage Project
The Poseidon CO₂ storage project is well positioned to support the delivery of this ambition. Located in the UK Southern North Sea, Poseidon is designed to provide secure, permanent geological storage for captured CO₂ and to play an integral role in facilitating cross-border transport and storage arrangements.
With proximity to key shipping routes and industrial hubs in both the UK and continental Europe, Poseidon is particularly well suited to serving international CO₂ flows. The project stands ready to support the execution of bilateral agreements under the London Protocol and to contribute to the development of a robust, scalable CCS network linking the UK and EU.
Supporting a Broader CCS Ecosystem
Beyond Poseidon, a range of current and future CCS projects stand to benefit from clearer frameworks for cross-border cooperation. Shipping-based transport solutions, pipeline networks, and storage hubs across the UK Continental Shelf could all play a role in enabling emissions reductions from hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals and refining.
Establishing workable bilateral arrangements will also help underpin investment decisions across the CCS value chain, from capture facilities in mainland Europe to transport and storage infrastructure in the UK. In doing so, it will strengthen the UK’s position as a key partner in Europe’s decarbonisation efforts while supporting economic growth, skills development and long-term energy transition objectives.
Looking Ahead
The Joint Statement between the United Kingdom and Belgium sends a strong signal of intent: that international cooperation will be central to achieving net zero at the scale and pace required. Carbon Catalyst is encouraged by this progress and looks forward to continued engagement with governments, regulators and industry stakeholders as the necessary legal, regulatory and commercial frameworks are developed.
By enabling cross-border CO₂ transport and storage, initiatives such as this will help ensure that CCS fulfils its potential as a cornerstone of the global energy transition. We see this as a win-win scenario for everyone and looking forward to the progress that will be made in 2026.