Overview
The project Sustainable Carbon Capture, Transportation and Storage: Liability and Governance in Light of International and EU Law addresses the legal and governance challenges of developing large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems. It examines how existing international and European legal frameworks regulate the capture, transport and long-term storage of carbon dioxide, and analyses how liability should be allocated in cases of leakage or other environmental harm.
Background and Objectives
CCS is increasingly recognised as an essential tool for achieving deep decarbonisation and meeting international climate targets. However, its expansion has been hindered by legal uncertainties concerning cross-border transport, sub-seabed storage and post-closure responsibility. The project seeks to clarify these issues by analysing how international environmental law, EU law and maritime law interact in governing the different stages of the CCS chain.
The overarching aim is to propose a coherent and sustainable legal framework that supports climate goals while ensuring accountability, environmental protection and long-term governance of storage sites.
Research Focus
The research concentrates on three interrelated themes:
- International and EU legal frameworks – identifying gaps, overlaps and regulatory coherence in existing instruments governing CCS activities.
- Liability and governance – analysing responsibility allocation for potential risks during capture, transport, injection and long-term storage, including post-closure phases.
- Sustainability and technological development – examining how legal design can accommodate scientific and technological developments in carbon management while safeguarding marine environments.
Institutional Context
The project is based at Lund University, Faculty of Law and conducted in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, School of Business, Economics and Law. It brings together expertise in international law, marine environmental law and EU law to advance a cross-disciplinary understanding of CCS governance.
The project is led by Senior Lecturer Olena Bokareva (Lund University, Faculty of Law) and Associate Senior Lecturer Gabriela Argüello (University of Gothenburg, School of Business, Economics and Law).
Funding
This research is funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (2023–2028).