Decommissioning Insights and Lessons From Europe

In this episode, CODA Brand and Communications Lead Pawel Rybczynski asks CEO Francis Norman to share reflections from his recent travels across Europe, including stops in Aberdeen, Bergen, Stavanger and Copenhagen. They explore how international collaboration, particularly through forums like the Perth-Aberdeen Gateway and the UK-Australia MOU, is shaping Australia’s decommissioning landscape. From the transferability of technology and the challenges of qualifications, to the global push for reuse and recycling, Francis and Pawel discuss what Australia can learn from more established jurisdictions, and how the local industry is rising to the challenge.The discussion also covers circular economy initiatives like Nordic Circles, infrastructure readiness, and the social value drawing people into the sector. With a clear-eyed look at the sunk cost mindset and a call for broader industry recognition, it’s a thoughtful update on how decommissioning is evolving globally and what it means for us in Australia.