Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) at Sea: Regulation and Governance of Transport, Sequestration, and Liability

Background and Rationale

The urgent need to achieve climate neutrality has placed Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) at the center of international climate strategies. While pipelines remain the dominant mode of CO₂ transport, the role of transport by ships is rapidly gaining importance. Ships offer flexibility, scalability, and international reach, enabling captured CO₂ to be transported from emitters around the world to offshore storage reservoirs. This is particularly vital given that offshore sequestration will be essential in many regions where onshore storage capacity is limited. Meanwhile, sub-seabed geological formations represent some of the most promising and secure long-term storage options.

At the same time, significant uncertainties and risks still exist. Technical and operational challenges of transporting large quantities of liquefied CO₂, environmental concerns about marine ecosystems, legal uncertainties surrounding cross-border shipments, and liability issues in case of leaks remain open questions. Existing international legal frameworks, such as the London Protocol and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, provide a starting point, but the regulation of CCS remains fragmented. Regional agreements are emerging to fill gaps, illustrating both the pressing demand for cross-border CO₂ management and the current
patchwork of legal arrangements.

Against this backdrop, there is a pressing rationale to convene a legal and policy-focused conference dedicated to CCS ship transport and sub-seabed sequestration. Such a forum can clarify international obligations, harmonize standards, address liability regimes, and build trust in this emerging sector.

Call for Abstracts

The Faculty of Law, Lund University, in collaboration with the Department of Law at the School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, invites abstract submissions for an international conference dedicated to the legal, governance, and liability aspects of carbon capture and storage (CCS) at sea.

Download call for abstracts (PDF)

Themes

The conference will address the legal frameworks, liability schemes, and governance challenges
associated with CCS in a cross-boundary context. We welcome contributions that engage with, but
are not limited to, the following themes:
• International, EU, and national legal frameworks for CCS
• Civil, operational, and post-injection liability in CCS operations
• Legal and environmental challenges of transboundary CO₂ transportation by ship
• Regulatory gaps in sub-seabed carbon storage within and beyond national jurisdiction
• Governance alternatives and long-term risk management
• Environmental justice and socio-ecological dimensions of CCS
• The role of CCS in achieving EU, Swedish, and Nordic climate goals

Submission Guidelines

We encourage submissions from scholars in law, governance, environmental studies, maritime
studies, as well as interdisciplinary contributions from industry and policy perspectives. Both
senior and junior researchers are encouraged to participate.
The deadline for abstract submission is January 16, 2026. Abstracts should be submitted via
email to: anil [dot] ozturk [at] jur [dot] lu [dot] se
Submissions must include the following information:
• Abstract: Maximum 300 words clearly outlining the research question and main arguments.
• Author Information: Author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), email contact details, and the
title of the proposed paper.
• Biographical Note: A brief CV or biographical statement of maximum 200 words.
• File Format: Please submit all materials as PDF attachments to ensure proper formatting.
• Email Subject Line: "CCS Conference Abstract Submission_[Surname]"
Review and Notification: Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by mid-February
2026.

Publication

Selected contributions from the conference will be published in an edited book with a leading international publisher. Details about the submission of papers and publication will be provided after the conference.

Registration and Venue

The conference will take place in person at the Faculty of Law, Lund University, Sweden, on May 7-8, 2026. The conference has no registration fee; however, participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs. All registered participants will be provided with coffee breaks and lunch during both conference days.

Registration will open in mid-April 2026, and a registration link will be circulated at that time. Specific venue details and campus directions will be provided to registered participants prior to the conference.

The detailed conference program, including keynote speakers and session schedules, will be announced following the abstract review process.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding the call for abstracts or the conference, please contact: Anil Öztürk Email: anil [dot] ozturk [at] jur [dot] lu [dot] se (anil[dot]ozturk[at]jur[dot]lu[dot]se)

Conference Organizers

Olena Bokareva, Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Law, Lund University
Gabriela Argüello, Associate Senior Lecturer
School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg
Anil Öztürk, Postdoctoral Fellow
Faculty of Law, Lund University
 

This conference is organized under the auspices of the research project "Sustainable Carbon Capture, Transportation and Storage: Liability and Governance in Light of International and EU Law," funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation.