The call for abstracts is now closed. The conference programme is being finalised. For the full programme, registration, and practical information, please see the conference website.
Conference dates: 7–8 May 2026
Location: Faculty of Law, Lund University, Sweden
Abstract submission deadline: 16 January 2026 (closed)
This call invited submissions for the international conference Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) at Sea: Regulation and Governance of Transport, Sequestration, and Liability, held on 7–8 May 2026 in Lund, Sweden. The conference is organised by the Faculty of Law, Lund University, in collaboration with the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.
Background and Rationale
The urgent need to achieve climate neutrality has placed Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) at the centre of international climate strategies. While pipelines remain the dominant mode of CO₂ transport, the role of transport by ships is rapidly gaining importance. Ships offer flexibility, scalability, and international reach, enabling captured CO₂ to be transported from emitters around the world to offshore storage reservoirs. This is particularly vital where onshore storage capacity is limited. Meanwhile, sub-seabed geological formations represent some of the most promising and secure long-term storage options.
Significant uncertainties and risks still exist. Technical and operational challenges of transporting large quantities of liquefied CO₂, environmental concerns about marine ecosystems, legal uncertainties surrounding cross-border shipments, and liability issues in case of leaks remain open questions. Existing international legal frameworks, such as the London Protocol and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, provide a starting point, but the regulation of CCS remains fragmented. Regional agreements are emerging to fill gaps, illustrating both the pressing demand for cross-border CO₂ management and the current patchwork of legal arrangements.
Against this backdrop, there is a pressing rationale to convene a legal and policy-focused conference dedicated to CCS ship transport and sub-seabed sequestration. Such a forum can clarify international obligations, harmonise standards, address liability regimes, and build trust in this emerging sector.
Themes
1. International, EU, and national legal frameworks for CCS
2. Civil, operational, and post-injection liability in CCS operations
3. Legal and environmental challenges of transboundary CO₂ transportation by ship
4. Regulatory gaps in sub-seabed carbon storage within and beyond national jurisdiction
5. Governance alternatives and long-term risk management
6. Environmental justice and socio-ecological dimensions of CCS
7. The role of CCS in achieving EU, Swedish, and Nordic climate goals
Submission Guidelines
Submissions were invited from scholars in law, governance, environmental studies, and maritime studies, as well as interdisciplinary contributions from industry and policy perspectives.
Deadline: 16 January 2026
Submission method: email to anil.ozturk@jur.lu.se
Abstract length: maximum 300 words
Format: PDF
Notification of acceptance: mid-February 2026
Publication
Selected papers will be published in an edited volume with a leading international publisher. Details will be provided following the conference.
Registration and Venue
There is no registration fee. Coffee breaks and lunch will be provided on both days. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. For registration and venue details, please visit the conference website.
For enquiries, please contact anil.ozturk@jur.lu.se.
