Scaling carbon capture and storage: from policy support to commercial deployment
Ross Brown, Global Policy Lead for CCS at Shell, discusses global carbon capture and storage (CCS) policies, lessons from Northern Lights and why scaling CCS requires both government support and global cooperation.
Today, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is widely recognised as a critical pathway for decarbonising sectors where alternatives currently remain limited. But moving from early demonstration projects to global infrastructure requires more than technical readiness: it depends on the right combination of policy frameworks, incentives and collaboration between governments, industry and customers.
Ross Brown, Global Policy Lead for CCS at Shell, has spent much of his career exploring how policy, industry and technology intersect in the global energy transition. With a dynamic background that spans international law, public affairs and carbon management, he brings both a technical and policy perspective to a complex question facing heavy industry and government today: how to scale CCS and develop sustainable commercial models.
In this interview, Ross reflects on how different regions are approaching CCS policy, what lessons projects like Northern Lights offer for other markets, and why building the right conditions for emitters may ultimately determine whether CCS can move from ambition to large-scale deployment.
The role of policy in scaling CCS
How do policy frameworks differ across regions, and what role can governments play in helping low-carbon technologies move from innovation to large-scale deployment?
Governments play a crucial role in helping low-carbon technologies move from innovation to large-scale deployment, particularly by shaping the market conditions needed to bridge what is often called the “missing middle.” Creating early demand, providing long-term policy certainty and enabling infrastructure are all key to helping technologies like CCS scale.
Given that market structures, resource endowments and political priorities differ across regions, policy frameworks understandably take different forms. These approaches reflect local circumstances rather than a single “right” approach.
In Europe, there is a relatively integrated policy landscape, with a combination of carbon pricing through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), binding climate targets, sector-specific regulation such as Fit for 55, and industrial support through initiatives like the Green Deal Industrial Plan. Together, these measures provide a coordinated framework for low-carbon investment.
In North America, the approach is more decentralised, combining federal and state or provincial policies. Measures such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law focus on tax credits, grants and loan support to incentivise deployment, while Canada also complements this with a national carbon pricing system.
Across APAC, policy frameworks are more diverse, reflecting different stages of economic development and transition pathways. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China have developed increasingly sophisticated approaches, often linked to broader industrial strategies and long-term planning. While policy tools vary, there is strong emphasis in many cases on coordination, infrastructure development and strategic sector support.
Across all regions, the common thread is the important role of governments in enabling early markets and reducing risk, particularly for technologies like CCS where upfront investment is high. By aligning policy tools with local market conditions, governments can help accelerate the transition from innovation to widespread deployment.
Stepping back, many low-carbon technologies are still stuck in what’s often called the “missing middle” – the space between innovation and large-scale uptake. That’s where governments have an important role to play in creating early demand. This is particularly relevant for CCS, where such support is crucial to help markets get off the ground.
Where does CCS fit in the wider decarbonisation landscape, and what arguments support it as a core climate solution as opposed to a ‘nice to have’?
CCS is one part of the wider decarbonisation agenda. A range of technologies and measures need to be developed and scaled in parallel, but CCS is an essential tool – particularly in hard-to-abate sectors, where it is a key pathway to decarbonisation. Another important argument – particularly in the European context – is that CCS can support industrial competitiveness, bolstering the ability of heavy industries to meet market demand and achieve sustainable profitability. This is important because it enables them to continue operating while reducing emissions, rather than facing decline or relocation.
Most future energy scenarios indicate that some fossil fuel use will continue for a period of time, especially where alternatives remain limited. Organisations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have weighed in, highlighting CCS as crucial to achieving net-zero goals.
In many cases it is still cheaper to emit carbon than to capture and store it. What policy tools can help close that cost gap?
Think of CCS policy instruments as a toolbox.
Different countries use different combinations depending on their context. In the United States, tax credits have played a major role in underpinning CCS deployment, partly reflecting the relative ease with which that type of instrument has historically achieved bipartisan approval.
In Europe, we see a broader mix of tools: carbon pricing to incentivise decarbonisation, grants funded through carbon market revenues to support early infrastructure, and mechanisms such as contracts for difference – which support low-carbon projects by guaranteeing a stable price – to bridge the gap between the carbon price and the cost of CCS.
Ross Brown, Global Policy Lead for CCS at Shell“There is no single dominant instrument globally – countries tend to use different policy tools depending on their national context.”
How can policymakers support CCS adoption without putting heavy industry at a competitive disadvantage?
One important mechanism for that is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). In theory, CBAM levels the playing field by reflecting internal carbon pricing externally and helping to ensure that industries operating under carbon pricing regimes are not disadvantaged relative to imports.
It may also encourage CCS adoption beyond the regions where such policies originate.
Lessons from Northern Lights: the path to scale
Northern Lights is seen as a successful example of policy enabling CCS. What made that project possible, in your view?
Norway, where Northern Lights is based, has two key advantages: significant CO₂ storage capacity and a clear political commitment to adopting CCS.
Through the Longship Project – Europe’s first full value chain for capturing, transporting and storing industrial CO₂ – the Norwegian government funded the initial infrastructure and backed the first two emitters (Heidelberg Materials and Hafslund Celsio) so they could join the project. A final investment decision was taken last year on Phase 2 of Northern Lights, which aims to expand its capacity from 1.5 to at least 5 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, supported by commercial agreements and additional infrastructure. The expansion should be completed and ready for operation in the second half of 2028.
This strong government support and advocacy naturally created the conditions for commercialisation, allowing the joint venture partners to move into later phases and attract additional customers. The broader lesson here is that establishing early CCS value chains can help unlock commercial markets.
How mature are the regulatory frameworks governing cross-border CO₂ transport and long-term storage?
It’s essential that I mention the London Protocol here. Introduced by the International Maritime Organisation in 2006, it has been absolutely central in shaping the rules around cross-border CO₂ transport and storage. Historically, it restricted subsea storage across borders because CO₂ was broadly classified as a waste product. That has since changed, with cross-border transport and storage now permitted through bilateral agreements between countries. Several such agreements have already been concluded, including those linked to Norway and the Northern Lights project, and more are expected as CCS hubs develop in regions where storage capacity and emissions sources are geographically separated.
Personally, I would also like to see more bilateral agreements happening in APAC, particularly between storage-constrained countries such as Japan and Korea with abundant-storage countries like Australia and Malaysia.
For long-term stewardship, the widely recognised model is that operators manage monitoring and storage sites while they are operational. After closure, once specific criteria are met or after a defined period, governments assume responsibility – reflecting the reality that public institutions are often better placed to oversee storage over the very long timeframes involved.
How it works and why it matters
Explore how carbon capture and storage (CCS) enables emissions reduction in hard-to-abate sectors and supports scalable, science-backed climate action.
What role do policymakers and industry play in creating the conditions for CCS adoption – both in terms of policy frameworks and public trust?
The most important step is creating the right conditions for CCS value chains to develop and mature. That means clear policy frameworks, greater regulatory certainty and support mechanisms for emitters. If emitters are not incentivised to adopt CCS, there will be no demand for transport and storage infrastructure.
Building that foundation is therefore the first step – physical infrastructure will develop once the right conditions are in place.
At the same time, policymakers and industry need to communicate the societal benefits of CCS. Public engagement is essential wherever projects are developed. When projects come into operation, their benefits should become visible in practice: maintaining industrial competitiveness, creating jobs locally, helping to decarbonise industry and contributing to national climate targets.
Like with most things, there will always be some opposition, but projects in operation are evidence that acceptance can be achieved.
Looking ahead, what would indicate that CCS markets are on the right track?
The key signal will be whether early projects genuinely create the foundations for scale-up. Beyond that, sufficient carbon pricing will be important, particularly in regions such as Europe.
Over time, we would also expect stronger customer demand for decarbonised products. If customers are willing to pay a premium for products such as lower-carbon cement or steel, that strengthens the CCS business case. There’s also potential for carbon dioxide removal markets to grow, both in voluntary and compliance spaces.
Ross Brown, Global Policy Lead for CCS at Shell“Ultimately, the industry needs to evolve beyond mere reliance on the government and develop new business models to ensure the industry can survive and thrive – in a nutshell, scale.”
A personal perspective
How has your background shaped the way you think about climate policy today?
Studying international law has made me more curious and analytical. Embarking on a Masters in carbon management later on gave me a greater understanding of the policy, business and scientific aspects of the energy transition. That combination has been useful because climate policy sits at the intersection of all three.
Eventually I moved from communications roles for shipping and energy companies to public affairs and policy work across the energy and industrial sectors. Moving into a role focused on CCS policy at Shell was a long time coming as I had applied for several roles in the company before, and it finally materialised four years ago.
What keeps you motivated working in climate policy today?
I believe having a full and active life outside of work is important. Creating that balance helps keep me happy and enthusiastic about the work itself.
Ross Brown, Global Policy Lead for CCS at Shell“I often say this job is my dream job – and I genuinely mean it. Being able to work on the policy and practical aspects of CCS, which I find deeply interesting and purposeful, is probably motivation enough.”
Take a look at the video below to see how we’re bringing the world’s first cross-border, open-access CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure network to life through Northern Lights – a joint venture with Equinor and TotalEnergies, and with support from the Norwegian government.
Northern Lights – a joint venture with Equinor and TotalEnergies
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Carbon Capture and Storage | Shell: Partner of Choice for Decarbonisation
Duration: 4:09 minutes
Description: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is increasingly recognised as an important solution for reducing emissions, particularly in hard-to-decarbonise sectors. Shell has been working on CCS for decades. Through Northern Lights – a joint venture with Equinor and TotalEnergies – and with support from the Norwegian government, we have brought the world’s first cross-border, open-access CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure network to life.
[Opening visuals]
A fast-moving montage shows industrial and energy-related scenes. Visuals include close-ups of industrial equipment, people working in an industrial environment, a Shell-branded technical screen, an aerial view of an industrial facility near water, refinery structures, city traffic at night, storage tanks and underwater pipeline imagery.
[Speech]
Narration
Innovation, for over 110 years, it's been at the heart of how Shell's connected the world with energy.
Now, we're innovating to help industry decarbonise, including through carbon capture and storage, CCS.
[Visuals]
The video shows an interview shot of Alistair Tucker seated indoors, followed by city and industrial visuals. Animated imagery shows CO₂ moving below the surface into underground storage.
[Speaker details]
Alistair Tucker
GM Europe CCS
[Speech]
Here at Shell, we believe CCS is essential to help society meet its net-zero ambition.
[Visuals]
The video cuts to industrial tanks and infrastructure, then to an animated view of CO₂ storage below the seabed.
[Speaker details]
Svein Tore Holsether
CEO, Yara
[Speech]
We have to capture that CO₂, compress it, and then pump it down below the seabed for permanent storage.
[Visuals]
Industrial infrastructure and refinery-style facilities appear on screen.
[Speech]
Narration
Three things make Shell a partner of choice when it comes to CCS.
[Text displays]
Technological Le[adership]
[Visuals]
Industrial plant footage appears behind the on-screen text. The video then shows refinery towers, pipework labelled “CO2 to pipeline”, control room-style digital displays and animated CCS infrastructure.
[Speaker details]
Alistair Tucker
GM Europe CCS
[Speech]
(Narration) At the Shell-operated Quest CCS project in Canada, we've captured over nine million tonnes of CO₂ since 2015.
CCS involves four stages. The first, capturing the CO₂ at source. Second, transportation to a suitable storage site. The third, injection into the underground geology. And the fourth, monitoring confirmation to ensure it is permanently stored. We at Shell are involved in all of those four stages.
[Scene transition]
The video transitions to footage of a large blue and white vessel at sea and in harbour. The vessel has visible markings including “CO₂ carrier” and “Northern Pathfinder”. Tugboats guide the vessel near port infrastructure and a city skyline.
[Speaker details]
Hemant Naik
Commercial Business Manager, Shell Shipping and Maritime
[Speech]
(Narration) When it comes to the transportation stage, this is the cutting edge.
We are standing on the Northern Pathfinder. It happens to be this vessel’s maiden voyage. This vessel and her sister ship are the world’s first carriers of liquid carbon dioxide for large-scale CCS.
(Narration) Shell is the lead developer of this ground-breaking vessel, owned by our Northern Lights joint venture. To unlock cross-border CO₂ transportation and scale CCS, the world will need a fleet of ships like this. And we're already planning ahead.
Pioneering as the ship is, we have already designed the next generation of low-pressure vessels to transport up to ten times the liquid CO₂, over longer distances, at lower cost.
(Narration) All backed up by Shell's long-established integrated maritime capability.
[Text displays]
Strategic Collaboration
[Visuals]
Aerial shots show the Northern Lights receiving terminal, storage tanks, pipework and industrial structures near the coast. The video also shows ships at sea, terminal operations and rail transport carrying cylindrical tanks.
[Speech]
Narration
The Northern Lights receiving terminal, another world first.
[Speaker details]
Alistair Tucker
GM Europe CCS
[Speech]
Northern Lights' mission is to demonstrate we can ship and store CO₂ on a commercial basis.
[Speech]
Narration
It's a joint venture with industry partners Equinor and TotalEnergies and with significant support from the Norwegian government.
Strategic collaboration with different stakeholders is key to growing CCS worldwide, and we're excited to work with innovative partners to make this happen.
[Visuals]
Two people wearing hard hats stand at an industrial site. Additional shots show cranes, large cylindrical industrial equipment and the exterior of an industrial facility.
[Text displays]
Customer Focus
[Speaker details]
Svein Tore Holsether
CEO, Yara
[Speech]
For us, it's very helpful to work with a company like Shell that has decarbonization very high on the agenda and understand the needs that we have.
[Visuals]
The video shows Yara-related industrial and agricultural imagery, including a factory site, people moving through an industrial or warehouse space, crop fields and a vehicle moving through farmland.
[Speech]
Narration
A Northern Lights customer, Yara is one of the world’s leading fertiliser manufacturers, with operations in 60 countries.
[Speaker details]
Svein Tore Holsether
CEO, Yara
[Speech]
In order to produce this product, we use natural gas and we produce CO₂ as well. While we have made great progress in reducing that already, this is not something that any company can do alone.
[Visuals]
Further footage shows industrial pipes, a Yara production facility and a world map graphic with marked locations.
[Text displays]
Shell’s CCS projects
[Visuals]
The video shows Alistair Tucker speaking on screen, followed by footage of the Northern Pathfinder and aerial views of the Northern Lights coastal terminal.
[Speaker details]
Alistair Tucker
GM Europe CCS
[Speech]
Through projects like Northern Lights, we want to work with forward-thinking customers like Yara to transport and store their captured CO₂ safely and permanently. These are the kinds of solutions the world needs now to address the emissions challenge.
[Visuals]
A graphic shows a globe and then three Shell CCS strengths displayed on screen.
[Text displays]
Technological leadership
Strategic collaboration
Customer focus
[Speech]
Narration
Technological leadership, strategic collaboration, and customer focus, three reasons why Shell is the partner of choice when it comes to carbon capture and storage.
[Closing visuals]
The final frame shows the Shell logo and a web address.
[Text displays]
Date of publication: June, 2026
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
CCS offers a way to reduce emissions, including from sectors that are slower-to-decarbonise. Learn more about this technology and how Shell is working to unlock its potential around the world.
Image credit
Header image taken by Ruben Soltvedt.
