CCUS or no CCUS? Societal support for policy frameworks and stakeholder perceptions in France, Spain, and Poland

Carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) is a potentially relevant option to limitgreenhouse gas emissions. The development of CCUS has so far been slow in spite of substantialplans for implementation for example by the European Union. Lack of societal support is among thereasons cited for this gap between ambitions and implementation. Against this background, this papersimultaneously looks into the policy framework as well as stakeholder perceptions of CCUS asindicators for societal support. The focus is on three regions in three different European countries (EbroBasin, Spain; Paris Basin, France; Upper Silesia, Poland) and a potential implementation of CCUS inthese regions. The empirical data this paper draws on consists of 40 stakeholder interviews on theregional and national level. Our analysis points to differences between the countries with France beingmost advanced. The main driver for the development of CCUS in all three countries is (local) economicbenefit by preserving existing or creating new industries. Barriers include costs, potential environmentalimpacts, and to some extent lack of support from policymakers and the public.