Enabling the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Large-scale Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Projects

In 2009, China’s State Council proposed its 2020 goal for greenhouse gas emissions, and then in 2010 made Guangdong a low carbon pilot province. Guangdong has made remarkable achievements in greenhouse gas emission control to which the UK-China low carbon cooperation has contributed significantly. In September 2013 the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) signed a joint statement in London with the Guangdong Development and Reform Commission, witnessed by governor Zhu Xiaodan of Guangdong Province, to strengthen low carbon cooperation. The joint statement highlights the importance of collaborating in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Supported by the Guangdong and UK governments, the UK-China (Guangdong) Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage Industry Promotion and Academic Collaboration Centre (the “Centre”) was officially founded on December 18th, 2013. The Centre is committed to promoting the demonstration of large-scale CCUS projects to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the Centre will also provide an international collaboration platform for solutions to other local pollution problems (such as haze, water pollution) caused by coal utilization, and to accelerate the industrialization for clean fossil energy technologies and to train qualified professionals.