Innovative regulatory and financial parameters for advancing carbon capture and storage technologies

In the post-industrial age, the realisation of inherent technical innovation potentials requires that stakeholders develop flexible, cooperation-based frameworks if first mover opportunities and advantages are to be realised. In this context, carbon capture and storage technologies have emerged as a complementary adjunct, to a diversified energy mix. However, developing the technology is not without technical and financial risks. The capacity of key stakeholders, primarily (but not exclusively) government and industry counterparts is to develop mutually reinforcing strategies and policies for testing and commercialising Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, as that will be determinative of their fate. The UK in particular has indicated a commitment to bold greenhouse gas reductions, and investment in CCS, as part of the ambitious emissions reductions targets set forth by the European Union, the deployment of which is meant to count for 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions captured by 2030. This has subsequently resulted in plans for several pilot CCS plants on UK soil. The up-scaling of CCS to the demonstration level, however, is dependent not only on the presence of sufficient interest and funding – an ongoing issue in the UK - but also on the existence of appropriate regulatory conditions and options for additional private financing by industrial stakeholders. Furthermore, it is important to note that the up-scaling of projects from pilot to demonstration, and further on to a commercial-scale, is materializing in the context of a global financial crisis and a dip in investment trust in high-risk ventures. The development of CCS projects, in individual states, is not only influenced by national regulatory regimes, policy developments, and fluctuations in the financial markets, but is also dependant on the legislative signals given from supra-national bodies and binding international agreements. In Europe, the CCS Directive’s approach to long term environmental and related financial risk has led to the current state of regulatory and financial uncertainty, thereby, giving rise to potentially uninsurable liabilities which dis-incentivise private sector investment in CCS technology. This is in contrast with legislation in competing states including the United States, Norway, Canada and Australia. There is every indication that the paramount issue standing in the way of CCS is uncertainty over regulated financial security requirements for site operators and the nature and attribution of liability arising from leakage. This uncertainty could be addressed by a combination of insurance for storage sites and a robust permitting process, which would minimize the likelihood of leakage to virtually zero. There are, therefore, excellent reasons for national and international law and policymakers to seriously consider a more careful and tailored legislative and policy mix, so that regulatory oversight is in balance with innovative finance, insurance and liability mechanisms. In addition to exploring this subject matter, the article offers a number of recommendations for flexible, partner-based advancement of CCS technology potentials in climate change and related environmental regulation