June 25, 2025
An arrangement between Norway and France paves the way for transporting CO₂ from French industrial emission sources to Norway for safe storage beneath the North Sea seabed.
The arrangement was signed in Oslo on 23 June 2025 by Minister Aasland and France’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Éric Lombard. It enables transport of CO₂ from French industrial hubs such as Le Havre, Dunkirk, and Saint-Nazaire to storage sites on the Norwegian continental shelf. The arrangement complies with the London Protocol and EU law on carbon storage and emissions trading (ETS).
This arrangement is a breakthrough for European climate cooperation. It demonstrates how we can work together to find practical solutions for cutting emissions and securing the future of industry in a low-carbon society
… said Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.
France has recently passed the necessary legislative amendments in its National Assembly to enable cross-border transport of CO₂, underlining its importance as a priority for President Emmanuel Macron. The arrangement also builds on the 2022 Letter of Intent between the two countries and forms part of their broader green industrial partnership.
The arrangement facilitates the handling of French emissions through permanent offshore storage in the North Sea and supports the development of an integrated European market for carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The agreement provides predictability for further expansion of storage capacity on the Norwegian shelf.
