With thanks to our host

The Global CCS Institute thanks Latham & Watkins for hosting the event.

CCS financing, deal-making and risk allocation

Panelists examined considerations around bankability of CCS projects, emphasizing the need for experienced sponsors, credible teams, established technologies, strong counterparties, diversified cash flows, and independent diligence. Coordination across the value chain was also highlighted, and the need for reliable accounting, credible environmental attributes, and a broader market for buyers were discussed as necessary components for CCS growth.

Permitting, long-term liability, technology, political, and contract risks were identified as key areas that developers must navigate before reaching final investment decision. Speakers highlighted community engagement, co-location, diversified revenue streams, and cooperation between proven technologies and emitters as tools for reducing risk. The growing role of insurance in allocating and reducing risk was noted.

Markets and buyers

Panelists discussed the pivotal opportunity for new CCS demand in data center development, but also noted the need to expand the buyer base beyond hyperscalers to ensure real market development.

The potential for utilities, industrials such as cement and steel, and traders to create deeper, more-liquid markets for carbon attributes was noted. The use of environmental attribute instruments was highlighted as a tool to unlock revenue and move toward commercialization.

Policy incentives and regulatory certainty

The Institute was pleased to welcome Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Grant Hunter, as a featured speaker.

Alberta was highlighted as a region with growing CCS opportunity because of recent pro-CCS policy developments and provincial cooperation with the Canadian federal government.

The pros and cons of various policies in the Americas were also discussed, such as the central role of 45Q in the US.  Limitations of current policy were debated, including political uncertainty and complexity of the tax code.

Emerging technologies

Technology developers explored how next-gen CCS tech can turn innovation into bankable, repeatable projects. Tactics such as using modular or small-scale projects, developing joint ventures, and designing projects around economics rather than climate value alone help to de-risk new technology development.

The discussion showed how closely these issues are connected. Projects need credible partners, clear routes to revenue, policy certainty and practical arrangements for managing risk across the full value chain.

Event programme

Explore the sessions and speakers from the afternoon.