Germany plans to allow carbon capture and sub-seabed storage technologies in some heavy industries that lack alternative decarbonization tools, as reported by Bloomberg on February 26. The striking carbon management strategy, announced by German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, allows the export of captured carbon to storage facilities in countries like Norway and explores Germany’s economic zone in the North and Baltic seas for potential storage sites. This marks a reversal in Germany’s stance on carbon storage, which was practically banned in the country a decade ago. However, Habeck said overground carbon dioxide (CO2) storage will remain prohibited, primarily due to the increased cost associated with much longer transportation distances.

The overhaul of the carbon management policy came amid the heightened urgency for Germany to achieve its net-zero emissions target for 2045. Habeck acknowledged that the 2045 target is “impossible to reach” without carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. He also noted that, despite the considerable progress Germany has made in boosting renewable energies, the country still needs a solution for hard-to-abate sectors such as cement. Moreover, he proposed an amendment to existing law to allow the transport of CO2 captured from industrial processes. Notably, Germany’s new strategy aligns with a recent plan introduced by the European Union, which asked member states to build carbon storage sites to remove up to 400 million tons of CO2 by 2040.

Sources:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-26/germany-to-allow-carbon-capture-and-storage-to-pave-way-for-lower-emissions

https://apnews.com/article/germany-carbon-capture-storage-climate-b9b3a7cf332a03560c8f48c655c18adb

https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-allow-carbon-capture-underwater-storage/a-68371619