Discussions on the GOCO₂ project are continuing
The GOCO2 decarbonisation project is entering a new phase with the launch of the next consultation phase on Tuesday 6 October. Following the preliminary consultation held in autumn 2025, the continuing phase opens up new avenues for dialogue with the public regarding the project and its next stages, still under the auspices of the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).
Understanding the GOCO₂ project
GOCO2 is a project aimed at decarbonising industries in France’s Grand Ouest region, led by Heidelberg Materials France, Lafarge Ciments, NaTran, Elengy and RTE. It involves capturing CO2 emitted at industrial sites in Mayenne and Deux-Sèvres, transporting it via a network of underground pipelines operated by NaTran to the Elengy terminal at Montoir-de-Bretagne (Loire-Atlantique), and then loading it onto ships for transport to offshore geological storage sites in the North Sea.
By 2031, the plan is for GOCO2 to prevent 2 million tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere each year: an amount roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of the Nantes metropolitan area. By capturing the unavoidable CO2 emissions from Grand Ouest industries, the GOCO2 project is contributing to energy transition in these regions, the long-term viability of industrial activities and the development of a CO2 utilisation sector
The GOCO2 project was the subject of an earlier consultation from 29 September to 19 December 2025. For nearly three months, it enabled the public, local authorities, organisations, business representatives and various stakeholders to find out more, ask questions and discuss the project, its merits and its various components. Nearly 40 public meetings were organised across the entire area in question.
Following these consultations the CNDP organisers published their report on 19 January 2026. On 19 March, the project owners then published the lessons they had learnt from this phase, along with 17 commitments to take the public’s contributions into account. On 6 May 2026, the CNDP appointed Marc Navez as the leader in charge of the ongoing consultation process.
Ongoing dialogue as the project progresses
Still under the auspices of the CNDP, the ongoing consultation process is designed to support the next stages of GOCO2 and to keep the public informed as the studies progress, right up to the stage of future public inquiries.
In particular, it will provide an update on the project’s progress and the commitments made by the project owners following the preliminary consultation, and also explore in greater depth several topics that were the subject of questions and contributions: carbon reduction at industrial sites, CO2 transport solutions, carbon footprints, energy consumption, industrial risks and environmental challenges linked to future infrastructure.
The consultation process is supported by initiatives such as a regularly updated website, newsletters, follow-up meetings and themed meetings across the regions, starting on 6 October.
