The first quarter of 2026 has been a busy period for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) in Europe. The CO2 Value Europe policy team has been actively advocating to ensure that the CCU value chain is a focus in the EU’s policy framework.
Here is a summary of our outreach, advocacy, and a major milestone from the past 90 days.
Major milestone: defining sustainable carbon
A primary goal was achieved this quarter – to secure clear, legal recognition for CCU. We are proud to announce that a key advocacy ask from CO2 Value Europe was included in the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) proposal, a formal definition of ‘sustainable carbon sources’.
The definition now includes carbon from captured CO2 emissions, sustainable biomass, and waste.
Engaging EU Decision-Makers
Through direct dialogue, our team engaged in several strategic exchanges this quarter:
- Commissioner Meeting: We met with the Cabinet of Commissioner Hoekstra alongside our member Dioxycle to discuss the deployment of CCU technologies.
- Parliamentary Engagement: We had productive meetings with the offices of MEP Matthieu and MEP Scuderi to align on legislative priorities.
Expert Groups: Shaping the Future
CO2 Value Europe continues to provide the technical expertise needed to build the CCU value chain through Commission-organised alliances:
- Critical Chemicals Alliance: We participated in the launch in Geleen and are actively working to promote captured CO and CO₂ as essential feedstocks for Europe’s chemical autonomy. CO2 Value Europe is represented by Franklin Streichenberger as an expert in the alliance.
- Renewable & Low-Carbon Fuels Alliance: On 26 February, we joined the General Assembly to advocate for the future of eSAFs (Synthetic Aviation Fuels) and maritime fuels.
Industry Interventions
Our policy team travelled across Europe to represent the CCU community at major events:
- January: Discussed scaling CCU at our member Axelera’s event in Lyon and joined the eNG Coalition to push for e-methane as a critical CCU fuel.
- February: A landmark moment at the Antwerp Declaration, participating in industry discussions with top EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron.
- March: Highlighted technical building blocks for industrial carbon cycles at the Carbon2Chem project and presented the latest CCU trends at Summit NL and in Groningen.
Keeping the Momentum in Spring 2026
Our outreach will continue into the spring to ensure that CCU is always on the agenda.
Read our full position papers to stay up to date.
