We are proud to announce that the CCUS Poland Association, in collaboration with Clean Air Task Force (CATF), has published a new policy report titled “Capturing Public Trust: Social Acceptance of CCS in Poland.” The publication, co-authored by Dr Paweł Gładysz, President of CCUS Poland, and Bartłomiej Kupiec, Energy Transition Consultant at CATF, explores how public perception and trust will determine the success of carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment in Poland.
As Poland accelerates its industrial decarbonisation and energy transition, understanding how to build lasting public confidence in CCS has become more important than ever. The report provides practical recommendations for policymakers and industry to engage communities, ensure transparency, and foster a shared sense of purpose in achieving climate neutrality.
Public trust as a foundation for climate progress
The authors emphasise that while Poland has one of the largest CO₂ storage capacities in Europe, technological readiness alone will not ensure success. CCS projects will only move forward if they are trusted by local communities.
"Public trust will decide whether CCS in Poland remains a concept or becomes a reality."
Dr Paweł Gładysz, President of CCUS Poland Association
CCS, authors argue, is essential for achieving Poland’s climate neutrality goals while maintaining industrial competitiveness. To secure social acceptance, developers and policymakers must prioritise early engagement, open dialogue, and a clear narrative about how CCS contributes to jobs, innovation, and regional growth — not just emission reductions.
Key insights and recommendations
Drawing on international case studies such as Norway’s Longship and Japan’s Tomakomai projects, the report outlines how proactive communication and community participation have helped build trust and transparency.
Among the report’s main recommendations:
- Engage communities early and meaningfully – trust is built long before construction begins.
- Ensure transparency – make monitoring data and project updates publicly available.
- Promote education and dialogue – counter misinformation through facts and openness.
- Integrate social acceptance into policy and permitting – include public engagement as a key criterion.
- Guarantee tangible local benefits – ensure host regions share in economic and social gains.
These steps, the authors note, can help Poland build a durable “social licence to operate” for CCS, preventing conflicts and accelerating progress toward industrial decarbonisation.
Read and download the full report
The full report, “Capturing Public Trust: Social Acceptance of CCS in Poland,” is now available online. It offers an in-depth analysis of public attitudes, lessons learned from global CCS projects, and actionable policy guidance for governments, regulators, and companies.
Read and download the report here.
We invite policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives to explore its findings and join the dialogue on how Poland can build confidence in CCS as a cornerstone of a fair and effective climate transition.
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