Securing the business case for CCS as a key enabler for the decarbonisation of Europe - ZEP Strategy Review, January 2012

CCS has now  reached a “tipping point” in Europe, where its success or failure depends on what measures are taken to counteract recent  developments (related to funding, legislation and public/political support) and ensure the window of opportunity is not missed. This demands urgent action by ZEP and a fundamental change in pace and direction by:

1. Applying a strong focus on critical issues through the formation of new working groups (WGs). Small, flexible and populated by members with highly specialist experience, these WGs will be
able to act quickly and decisively, driving real change.
2. Establishing a long-term, microeconomic  business case for industry and a macroeconomic business case for society as the foundation for both demonstration and  deployment: a successful
demonstration of CCS technology is a pre-condition for commercial deployment; but without a long-term business case, demonstration projects will not happen .

ZEP's revised strategy will place a sharp focus on: prioritising activities to support NER 300 candidates; provide flexible solutions to any knowledge gaps in the EU CCS demonstration programme; create a secure environment for long-term investment; accelerate the appraisal, characterisation and demonstration of CO₂  storage; accelerate a long-term plan for CO₂ transport infrastructure and increase R&D focus on facilitating commercial deployment.