An integrated risk assessment and management framework for carbon capture and storage: a Canadian perspective

This concluding paper of the Special Issue on carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Canadian context provides a brief overview of the findings from all contributions, followed by a description of the Canadian policy and regulatory backdrop for CCS at both the federal and provincial levels in active jurisdictions. An integrated risk management framework (IRMF) is proposed with reference to environmental and human health risk assessment and risk management frameworks published worldwide as well as risk management demonstrated in large scale Canadian CCS projects to date. Key features of the IRMF are the ten-step rational and transparent process, options to engage with and integrate wide-ranging government and non-government stakeholders on an ongoing basis, and incorporation of independent external review. The next generation of risk-based decision making is then applied to the IRMF for CCS.