Carbon Capture and Storage
Capture of CO2 from industrial sources or the atmosphere, transport and permanent geological storage to prevent atmospheric release.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
The activity must capture CO2 from point sources (industrial installations, power generation, or waste processing) or directly from the atmosphere, and permanently store it in geological formations. The capture rate must be at least 90% of the CO2 in the flue gas or process stream for point-source capture. The full chain (capture, compression, transport, injection, and storage) must achieve a net GHG reduction of at least 70% compared to the emissions that would occur without the CCS system.
The storage site must be permitted under Directive 2009/31/EC on the geological storage of CO2. A comprehensive monitoring plan must be in place covering injection operations, reservoir integrity, potential leakage pathways, and surrounding environment. The operator must demonstrate financial security for post-closure monitoring for at least 20 years.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation
The infrastructure must undergo a CRVA per Appendix A, particularly addressing risks to pipeline integrity from ground movement, flooding of compression stations, and temperature effects on injection well performance under projected climate scenarios.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
All infrastructure components (capture plant, pipelines, injection facilities) must be designed to withstand physical climate hazards identified in the Appendix A assessment over their operational lifetime.
DNSH: Water and Marine Resources
The activity must not cause contamination of groundwater or surface water. Monitoring of groundwater aquifers above the storage formation must be continuous. CO2 injection must not displace brine into drinking water aquifers. Offshore storage must comply with the OSPAR Convention.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Waste from capture processes (solvents, sorbents, filter materials) must be managed according to the waste hierarchy. Equipment must be designed for long operational life and eventual decommissioning with material recovery.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
Amine-based capture systems must control emissions of degradation products (nitrosamines, nitramines) to levels below health-based guideline values. Fugitive CO2 emissions from the transport and injection chain must be minimised and monitored. The storage site must comply with all conditions of the storage permit under Directive 2009/31/EC.