Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCUS)
Northern Lights issues world’s first certificates for permanently stored CO2
Each certificate is linked to a specific CO₂ ship cargo and details the exact quantity of CO₂ stored
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By ICN Bureau | December 15, 2025
Northern Lights JV has issued the world’s first storage certificates confirming the permanent storage of CO₂ in its Aurora offshore reservoir, marking a major milestone for the carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry.
The certificates formally document the volumes of CO₂ transported and securely stored, providing verified proof of permanent emissions storage.
“Credible carbon accounting is essential to the integrity of the emerging CCS industry. It includes a precise tracking of CO₂ volumes transported and stored, as well as emissions arising across the value chain.
"The CO₂ accounting and measurement procedures are described in Northern Lights’ Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV). Data is recorded in our digital system, which is designed as ledger for all certificates. We are proud to be able to issue the first storage certificates for our customers.” says Tim Heijn, Managing director in Northen Lights JV.
Each certificate is linked to a specific CO₂ ship cargo and details the exact quantity of CO₂ stored, alongside a transparent breakdown of associated lifecycle emissions. These emissions are accounted for from initial loading through transport, facilities and operations, up to the issuance of the storage certificate itself, ensuring the certificates are verifiable and fully traceable.
The milestone follows the successful transport and injection of the first CO₂ volumes in August, when captured emissions were sent through a 100-kilometre pipeline and injected 2,600 metres beneath the seabed in the Norwegian North Sea’s Aurora reservoir.
After the start of injection, Northern Lights issued its first set of storage certificates confirming that CO₂ captured at Heidelberg Materials’ cement factory in Brevik has been permanently stored offshore.
Northern Lights’ MRV framework and digital certification system are designed to meet the transparency and accuracy requirements of both compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
