2026 programme

Setting the conditions for scale: from policy to financing mechanisms and project realities
As Europe's projects look towards large-scale deployment, this year's theme will assess whether the right policies, market frameworks and investment conditions will be in place to translate ambition into real-world progress.

Over one day at the heart of EU policymaking, you will hear directly from the policymakers shaping the Industrial Accelerator Act, the CO₂ Market and Infrastructure Regulatory Package and the future of the EU Emissions Trading System, learn what isworking (and what is not) from flagship projects, and examine how financing instruments and the emerging market for permanent carbon removals could unlock commercial deployment.

This is a tentative programme. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated as sessions and speakers are announced.
08:30 - 09:00 – Networking breakfast

9:00 - 9:10 – Welcome address
9:15 - 9:30 – Opening keynote
09:30 - 10:10 – Industrial Accelerator Act:
How can 'Made in Europe' lead to climate neutrality?

For many energy-intensive industries, scaling industrial carbon management will be essential to cut emissions while maintaining production in Europe.

This panel will explore how stronger markets for low-carbon products can unlock investment in industrial carbon management and turn decarbonisation into a competitive advantage.

10:10 - 10:30 – Accelerating knowledge sharing and deployment

Knowledge on industrial carbon management is scattered across hundreds of reports, projects and databases - making it hard to build on.

Discover Europe's new hub that brings that knowledge together.

10:30 - 11:00 – Networking coffee
11:00 - 11:45 – How can carbon pricing deliver industrial competitiveness?

As Europe reviews its emissions trading system and carbon pricing gains momentum globally, attention is turning to the role of carbon pricing in driving investment and industrial transformation.

This panel will examine how carbon markets can be designed to accelerate and reward industrial decarbonisation while managing both carbon leakage and competitiveness risks.

11:50 - 12:10 – Unpacking the CO2 market and infrastructure regulatory framework

A well-functioning CO2 market will require clear rules for how infrastructure is planned, financed, accessed and regulated.

This fireside chat will unpack the Commission’s proposed framework and what it means for the development of an integrated, cross-border CO2 value chain.

12:10 - 12:30 – Project highlight 1

Replication stalls when first-of-a-kind projects don’t translate into repeatable delivery models.

Hear the lessons learned from the deployment of a leading European industrial carbon management project.  

12:30 - 13:30 – Networking lunch
13:30 - 13:50 – Who bears the risk? Designing an EU CO₂ Network Availability Guarantee Mechanism

CCS projects depend on the timely and reliable operation of every link in the value chain, leaving operators exposed to risks beyond their direct control.

This presentation will examine how cross-chain risks can be allocated more effectively and how an EU guarantee mechanism could reduce operational exposure.

13:50 - 14:30 – Making CCS bankable

Bringing CCS projects to investment and operation requires managing a wide range of commercial, regulatory and cross-chain risks.

This panel will explore how policy, contracts and risk-sharing mechanisms can help improve bankability and accelerate project deployment.

14:30 - 14:50 –  Project highlight 2

Replication stalls when first-of-a-kind projects don’t translate into repeatable delivery models.

Hear the lessons learned from the deployment of a leading European industrial carbon management project.  

15:00 - 15:30 – Networking coffee

15:30 - 15:50 – Financing carbon management: a bank's perspective

Hear directly from a major European bank on their approach to financing CCS and carbon removals, where they see the market heading, and how different sources of capital can work together to fund projects at scale.

15:50 - 16:10 – Project highlight 3

Replication stalls when first-of-a-kind projects don’t translate into repeatable delivery models.

Hear the lessons learned from the deployment of a leading European industrial carbon management project.  

16:10 - 16:50 – Driving demand for carbon removals

Explore how initiatives such as the EU CRCF Buyers’ Club and a future EU Purchasing Facility can stimulate public and private demand for high-quality carbon removals, provide revenue certainty, and support their contribution to climate targets.

16:50 - 17:00 – Closing remarks

17:00 - 18:00 – Networking drinks