Today at the Federal Environment Ministry conference "Carbon removal: new opportunities for climate action and innovation" around 180 experts from the scientific community, politics, companies and industry and environmental associations are discussing measures and potential for scaling up new carbon removal technologies. While carbon removal only supplements consistent greenhouse gas emission reduction, it is nevertheless essential for achieving and maintaining climate neutrality in the long term. Innovative removal technologies also offer significant economic opportunities.
Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider commented: "Carbon removal technologies and methods are still far from where we will need them to be in the future. That is why we want to give them a boost now and lay the groundwork necessary for the market ramp-up. Carbon removal will be important for unavoidable residual emissions, for instance from agriculture and certain industrial processes. I want German companies to be able to take advantage of these excellent market opportunities in this important field of technology. We are also planning to provide funding for this in the coming years. This ramp-up marks a new phase in climate policy, ensures that our long-term climate targets are met and thus helps keep the 1.5-degree target within reach."
Despite all measures to reduce climate-damaging emissions, unavoidable residual emissions – primarily from agriculture and certain industrial processes – will have to be offset in order to achieve long-term climate targets like greenhouse gas neutrality from 2045 onwards and negative greenhouse gas emissions after 2050. In addition to natural permanent carbon sequestration, for example through forests and soils, innovative carbon removal technologies come into play, for example direct carbon capture with subsequent geological storage (Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage, DACCS). Overall, there is a wide range of new methods and therefore new business models for companies and start ups.
With this conference, the Federal Environment Ministry is launching a public dialogue on carbon removal technologies. Discussions are focussing on their future role in climate policy and the framework conditions needed to exploit their potential for industry while taking account of environmental protection and nature conservation concerns.
The Federal Environment Ministry is currently working on a draft long-term carbon removal strategy and on an investment promotion and market incentive programme. In addition, there will be a citizen's dialogue on this topic.