Regional Synthesis Report on Capacity Gaps in Carbon Management. Analysing Carbon Capture and Storage Deployment in Central and Eastern Europe.

Achieving the European Union’s objective of climate neutrality by 2050 requires the rapid decarbonisation of industrial sectors where emissions cannot be eliminated through electrification or energy efficiency alone. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), this challenge is particularly acute due to the concentration of hard-to-abate industries, continued reliance on fossil fuels, and legacy carbon-intensive infrastructure. Carbon management technologies, and in particular Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), are therefore increasingly recognised as an essential complement to conventional mitigation measures in the region. This Regional Synthesis Report analyses capacity gaps affecting the deployment of CCS in Poland, Romania, Latvia, and Bulgaria. Rather than assessing individual projects, the report focuses on systemic political, regulatory, institutional, market, technical, and social conditions that shape CCS readiness and influence the transition from early-stage concepts to operational deployment. The analysis draws on four national assessments and applies a comparative, qualitative framework to identify cross-cutting constraints and enabling factors. The findings indicate that while CCS is broadly acknowledged as strategically relevant for long-term decarbonisation, particularly in sectors such as cement, lime, chemicals, refining, and power-related industrial activities, levels of readiness vary significantly across countries. Across the region, common capacity gaps persist, notably in governance and role clarity, the operationalisation of permitting systems, long-term liability frameworks, market and financial conditions, availability of specialised expertise, and public awareness and acceptance. At the same time, the report identifies key enablers for capacity creation, including EU-level policy initiatives, funding instruments, pilot and demonstration projects, and opportunities for cross-border cooperation on CO₂ transport and storage. Overall, the synthesis highlights that CCS deployment in CEE is constrained less by the absence of emissions or long-term need than by the pace at which enabling conditions are being established. Addressing these capacity gaps in a coordinated and targeted manner will be critical for ensuring the region’s effective participation in the emerging European carbon management landscape.