When the Carbon Storage Act came into force in 2012, the transportation and storage of CO2 was banned in Germany, with a few exceptions. The export of CO2 to foreign storage sites is also currently not permitted.
The discussion on climate protection measures has progressed since then, and there is now a broad consensus that carbon management is an important building block in the fight against climate change.Politicians must now set the course to legalize the efficient, economic and sustainable use of CO2 – for a climate-neutral future. With its strong industry, infrastructure and access to the North Sea, Germany has the potential to play a leading role in carbon management technologies.
The German Carbon Management Initiative (DCMI) is the central platform for companies in the CO2 value chain in Germany. It pools expertise along the entire CO2 value chain – from carbon capture technologies to trade and transportation to the storage and the use of CO2 – in order to promote carbon management in Germany. The initiative promotes dialog between industry, science, environmental associations and politics. The aim is to establish carbon management as an effective climate protection instrument and to create the political and economic framework conditions for the market ramp-up. The initiative is supported by Die Gas- und Wasserstoffwirtschaft e.V. (The German Gas and Hydrogen Industry).
Alongside renewable energies and hydrogen, carbon management is essential for capturing, transporting and safely storing hard-to-avoid and unavoidable CO2 emissions or using them as a raw material. Germany needs a clear legal framework and an efficient CO2 infrastructure in order to keep pace with its European neighbors.
The DCMI is committed to economically viable and socially accepted carbon management. It helps shape the political framework, drives forward the development of the CO2 infrastructure and communicates transparently to the public, politicians and industry about the opportunities and necessity of CCU/S.
Voices on the importance of carbon management
Prof. Otmar Edenhofer, Director and Chief Economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): „We need both Carbon Capture and Storage and Carbon Dioxide Removal technologies, if we want to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2045.”
(Source: https://www.pik-potsdam.de/de/aktuelles/nachrichten/edenhofer-zur-vorstellung-der-carbon-management-strategie-der-bundesregierung, Access: 26.02.2024)
Friedrich Merz, Chairman of the CDU Germany and the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag: „Why don’t we try a technological approach, – one based onthat of the circular economy? The keywords are CCS and CCU. This refers to the underground storage or recycling of carbon dioxide in solid form. Captured CO2 in compressed form is a valuable raw material that can be utilized by industry. We must no longer demonize this substance. If we approach the energy transition in this way, we may even be able to remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than we release by 2045.”
(Source: https://www.cducsu.de/themen/wir-brauchen-eine-positive-vorstellung-von-der-zukunft, Access: 01.11.2023)
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia: „Our primary objective is, of course, to avoid CO2 emissions. But even in a climate-neutral North Rhine-Westphalia of the future, we will still be dependent on carbon-containing raw materials. However, by capturing and reusing carbon dioxide, we can use CO2 sustainably or even recycle it. In this way, for example, we can supply the chemical industry with sustainable carbon and make a contribution to climate protection.“
(Source: https://www.land.nrw/pressemitteilung/foerderwettbewerb-fuer-ccu-modellregionen-nrw-zur-nachhaltigen-nutzung-von-co2, Access: 29.08.2024)
Germany is set to become a strong leader and valued partner when it comes to implementing CCS on the European stage. As a founding member of the Deutsche Carbon Management Initiative, Höegh Evi is highly motivated to pioneer CCS solutions for the German market. We believe in building strong partnerships and executing innovate thinking to support Germany’s path to zero.
ENGIE Supply & Energy Management assumes the role of midstreamer in carbon management: we bundle transport and storage solutions in a growing portfolio and offer our customers pick up CO2 directly at the factory gate and sequester it safely. This portfolio enables us to create planning security, reduce risks and costs, and enable our customers to concentrate on their core business. DCMI supports us in this by connecting stakeholders and accelerating market ramp-up – an important step for the industry.
Measurement technology is the key to successful carbon management. Precise measurements are essential for the safe and efficient implementation of CCUS: they monitor processes, create transparency and strengthen confidence in new technologies. Endress+Hauser actively supports the German Carbon Management Initiative and the industry in this transformation with innovative solutions that make carbon management measurable and therefore possible.
For OGE, carbon management is a central component of the energy transition. As a leading infrastructure company, we are taking responsibility for actively shaping climate-neutral solutions and safely transporting CO2 within the framework of CCS and CCU. The German Carbon Management Initiative offers a strong platform for the exchange and development of joint strategies in the field of carbon management. Together, we can drive forward the transformation of industry and create sustainable prospects.
As the TÜV NORD GROUP, we are sending a clear signal in favour of decarbonisation and actively shaping a low-carbon future. Through our membership in the German Carbon Management Initiative, we are committed to responsibility and innovation: We contribute our technical expertise, our experience in consulting and engineering, and our commitment to safety and sustainability to drive forward carbon management solutions along the entire value chain. Together with our partners, we are laying the foundations for intelligent sector coupling, the expansion of storage storage and transport infrastructure, and the development of future-proof technologies – for a secure, efficient and climate-neutral industry.
Good connections in Europe and cooperation in the value chain are important for the sustainable future of Dutch and European industry. We have no time to lose to offer industry in the Netherlands and beyond sufficient opportunities for sustainability. This is crucial for achieving climate targets and supporting the energy transition in north-western Europe. One of the possibilities is the DRC project, which offers a response to the growing demand for cross-border transport and storage of CO2.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) will make an important contribution to climate protection – especially for industry in eastern and central Germany. We expect that a network for transporting CO2 will also be established in the future. At ONTRAS, we are already working intensively on this potential business area. The German Carbon Management Initiative offers a strong platform for jointly developing strategies and driving forward industrial transformation.
We are the German Carbon Management Initiative. Our partners cover the entire CO2 value chain – from capture and transportation to use and storage. Our shared vision is to establish carbon management as an effective climate protection instrument.
The capture of CO2 from industrial point sources, biomass and the atmosphere plays an integral role in meeting climate targets and defossilizing industry.
CO2 transport: The development of a CO2 infrastructure is necessary to transport captured CO2 safely to the site of either storage or utilization.
The secure storage of CO2 in geological formations can make an important contribution to climate neutrality.
Captured CO2 can be used for industrial processes and thus become an important source of raw materials. The use of captured CO2 is an important aspect of a circular economy.
We present projects – from capture and transportation to CO2 storage and use – that signal the start of a sustainable and viable CO2 economy. Companies are leading the way with innovative solutions, customized technologies and a pioneering spirit.
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