A new survey reveals UK investors are expanding their focus to include a wider range of low-carbon technologies, signalling a shift as the energy transition matures and funding diversifies beyond CCS.
Carbon capture and storage continues to dominate the low-carbon investment landscape, but a new survey suggests UK investors are beginning to spread their bets across a broader range of technologies as the energy transition enters a more mature phase.
Law firm Pinsent Masons, which polled 964 venture capital investors and technology developers globally, found that 99% of UK respondents had already backed or developed a CCS project. Even so, only 79% said they expect to do so over the next 12 months, signalling a modest cooling in near-term appetite for a technology that remains central to industrial decarbonisation strategies.
That does not mean CCS is losing relevance. The firm’s broader research shows it still sits at the heart of low-carbon capital deployment, with the global study indicating that more than 90% of respondents have invested in or developed CCS. But the latest figures suggest investors are increasingly looking beyond a single dominant pathway.
Interest is rising in several other technologies. In the UK, 28% of respondents said they plan to invest in e-fuels over the coming year, up from 15% previously. Planned investment in lower-carbon hydrogen has also climbed sharply, to 25% from 4%, while wind power has risen to 17% from 7%. Pinsent Masons also said enthusiasm for tidal or ocean power has strengthened, alongside geothermal and solar.
Julia Maguire, head of energy at Pinsent Masons, said the findings point to a sector moving into a new stage of development, where CCS remains essential but no longer stands alone as the main focus for capital.
The survey also highlights the policy and financing hurdles still slowing deployment. Half of UK respondents cited an unstable regulatory environment as a major deterrent to investment over the next year or two. A lack of government support was named by 44%, while 30% pointed to the cost of compliance.
Support mechanisms are already being used by investors, but not evenly. According to the survey, 42% of UK respondents have taken advantage of tax reliefs, 38% of loan guarantees and 35% of contracts for difference through the UK allocation round system.
Stacey Collins, an energy transition partner at Pinsent Masons, said investors are now placing greater value on projects with clear and credible alignment to carbon credit frameworks, with developers increasingly shaping schemes around eligibility from the outset. She added that complex verification requirements and diverging regulation remain major obstacles if carbon credits are to play a larger role in financing the net-zero transition.
The shift comes as major corporate players continue to pour money into low-carbon technologies. A recent study found that 12 of the world’s largest oil and gas companies invested more than $30bn in such projects in 2024, with around a quarter directed towards renewables and roughly 10% towards CCS. Microsoft has also said carbon removal technologies will be critical to reaching its carbon-negative target by 2030.
For industrial decarbonisation professionals, the message is clear: CCS is still the anchor technology, but investors are increasingly building portfolios around a wider mix of options, from hydrogen and e-fuels to wind, geothermal and ocean energy.
- https://www.energyvoice.com/renewables-energy-transition/ccs/596982/investors-looking-to-diversify-away-from-dominant-ccs-tech/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/about-us/announcements/global-study-finds-ccs-dominant-but-lowcarbon-investors-to-diversify – A recent study by Pinsent Masons reveals that carbon capture and storage (CCS) remains the leading technology for low-carbon projects, with 90% of respondents having invested in or developed a CCS project. However, there is a growing trend towards diversification, with increased interest in technologies such as geothermal and tidal power, as well as low-carbon hydrogen. The study highlights a shift in the global low-carbon ecosystem towards a more mature and diversified approach to energy transition.
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/low-carbon-investment-diversify – A global study by Pinsent Masons indicates that while carbon capture and storage (CCS) continues to dominate low-carbon investments, there is a notable shift towards diversification. The study found that 22% of investors plan to invest in tidal or ocean power technology over the next year, up from just 1% previously. Similar increases are anticipated in geothermal, solar, and wind power investments, reflecting a broader trend of investors seeking a more diversified portfolio in the low-carbon sector.
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/ccs-leads-global-green-energy-investment-survey – A major survey by Pinsent Masons reveals that carbon capture and storage (CCS) remains the leading target for investors, with over 90% of respondents having invested in the technology in the past year. The survey also highlights a strong interest in technologies such as geothermal and tidal power, indicating a trend towards diversification in the low-carbon energy sector. The findings underscore the growing recognition of CCS as essential infrastructure for the energy transition.
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/sectors/energy – Pinsent Masons offers comprehensive services across the energy sector, including oil and gas, renewables, conventional and nuclear power. With over 28 offices worldwide, they provide expertise to organisations such as bp, Centrica, E.On, and Ørsted. The firm has been recognised with the Legal Business Energy & Infrastructure Team of the Year award in 2016, 2018, and 2019, reflecting their strong presence and expertise in the energy sector.
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/sectors/energy/energy-transition – Pinsent Masons’ Energy Transition sector focuses on assisting clients in navigating the shift towards a low-carbon economy. Their expertise spans various areas, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), renewable energy, and energy efficiency. The firm provides strategic advice to help clients adapt to regulatory changes, technological advancements, and market dynamics in the evolving energy landscape.
- https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/sectors/energy/energy-transition/renewables – Pinsent Masons’ Renewables sector offers legal services to clients involved in the development, financing, and operation of renewable energy projects. Their expertise covers a wide range of technologies, including wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. The firm provides strategic advice to help clients navigate regulatory frameworks, manage risks, and capitalise on opportunities in the renewable energy market.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article references a recent survey by Pinsent Masons, published on 5 May 2026. ([pinsentmasons.com](https://www.pinsentmasons.com/about-us/announcements/global-study-finds-ccs-dominant-but-lowcarbon-investors-to-diversify?utm_source=openai)) The content appears original, with no evidence of prior publication or significant overlap with other sources. However, the reliance on a single source for the survey data raises concerns about the breadth of information.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Julia Maguire and Stacey Collins of Pinsent Masons. ([pinsentmasons.com](https://www.pinsentmasons.com/about-us/announcements/global-study-finds-ccs-dominant-but-lowcarbon-investors-to-diversify?utm_source=openai)) While these quotes are attributed to specific individuals, they cannot be independently verified through other sources, which diminishes their reliability.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The primary source is a press release from Pinsent Masons, a law firm with a vested interest in promoting its research. ([pinsentmasons.com](https://www.pinsentmasons.com/about-us/announcements/global-study-finds-ccs-dominant-but-lowcarbon-investors-to-diversify?utm_source=openai)) The article also references other reputable outlets, such as Scottish Legal News and Scottish Construction Now, which have covered the same study. ([scottishlegal.com](https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/pinsent-masons-study-finds-ccs-remains-dominant-as-low-carbon-investors-look-to-diversify?utm_source=openai)) However, the lack of independent verification of the survey’s findings is a concern.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article presents plausible claims about the diversification of low-carbon investments, aligning with industry trends. However, the absence of independent verification and reliance on a single source for the survey data raises questions about the accuracy of these claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents information based on a recent survey by Pinsent Masons, but the heavy reliance on a single source with a vested interest, the inability to independently verify the survey’s findings, and the lack of corroborating evidence from other independent sources raise significant concerns about its reliability and accuracy. ([pinsentmasons.com](https://www.pinsentmasons.com/about-us/announcements/global-study-finds-ccs-dominant-but-lowcarbon-investors-to-diversify?utm_source=openai))
