The 2024 Middle East and Africa (MEA) CCUS Forum, held as part of Oman Sustainability Week at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center in Muscat on April 30, 2024, witnessed significant participation from industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in the field of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). With over 100+ participants gathered, the event served as a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations to drive advancements in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
Building on the success of the previous year’s forum, the Global CCS Institute led efforts to drive conversations around CCUS advancements and initiatives in the region. With a focus on regulatory framework, policy, industry, international voluntary carbon standard and technology providers, the forum aimed to provide insights into the present and future landscape of CCS in Oman.
Key sessions included discussions on CCUS projects in Oman, lessons learned from international and regional projects, business models, incentives, policies, project development, and CCUS finance. Notable speakers from leading organizations shared their expertise and perspectives on various aspects of CCUS implementation.
One of the highlights of the event was Session 3: CCS Policy Development, Incentivizing Projects, and Navigating the Carbon Market. The session was moderated by Evgeniya Mitchell, Business Development Director, Middle East, Kent, it delved into the foundational policy mechanisms needed to support CCS deployment, the role of carbon markets, and the importance of well-defined business models.
Subhendu Biswas, Director of Climate Action and Regulations at the Global Carbon Council (GCC), discussed GCC’s Contribution to enabling carbon finance for CCUS projects, this also included an introduction to the Voluntary markets’ first Methodology for project activities involving the capture, transport, and geological storage of carbon dioxide, which covers point source as well as technologies like DAC and BECCS. He provided valuable insights into the methodology development and rigor behind CCS projects. Highlighted key considerations, and how Carbon Markets can be leveraged to promote such innovative technologies like CCUS.
The other esteemed panelists include:
- City Cement – Majed Abdul Rahman Bin Nasser Al Osailan, CEO
- Council for Geoscience – Mosa Mabuza, CEO
- Bureau Veritas – Nahla Abid, VP Sales and Strategy Middle East and Caspian Sea Region
As the curtains close on the 2024 MEA CCS Forum, the GCC’s impactful presence and Subhendu Biswas’s compelling presentation mark a milestone in the ongoing dialogue surrounding CCUS. With groundbreaking methodology and rigorous standards, GCC continues to lead the charge in driving innovation and sustainability in the fight against climate change. As stakeholders reflect on the insights shared and discussions held during this forum, the momentum towards a greener, more sustainable future for Oman and beyond is palpable. GCC remains committed to fostering collaboration, advancing CCUS technologies, and catalyzing meaningful change towards a low-carbon economy.
