Parlamentary breakfast
Topic: Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACCS) and Bioenergie with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)
The patron of the parliamentary breakfast was Dr. Nina Scheer, Member of the German Bundestag and spokesperson for climate protection and energy policy for the SPD parliamentary group.Picture: Jan Pauls/Helmholtz SynCom
At the end of February this year, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) presented key points for the carbon management strategy and the long-term strategy for negative emissions. These two strategies are intended to help create the necessary framework conditions for the ramp-up of CO2 removal processes.
In order to promote the dialog between politics and science on this topic, the synthesis and communication platform SynCom of the Helmholtz Research Field Earth & Environment and Helmholtz Energy hosted a parliamentary breakfast in the Berlin Bundestag, which was organized jointly with CDRterra, CDRmare, DACStorE, NETs@Helmholtz and Helmholtz KLIMA. The patron of the event was Dr. Nina Scheer, Member of the German Bundestag and spokesperson for climate protection and energy policy for the SPD parliamentary group. The event was moderated by SynCom director Marie Heidenreich.
More than 30 political decision-makers came to the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus in the German Bundestag on May 17, 2024 to learn more from scientists about the topics of CO₂ capture and storage. One focus was on the two technical CDR methods Direct Air Carbon Capture, the direct capture of CO₂ from the atmosphere with subsequent long-term storage of the carbon, and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage, the generation of energy from biomass with subsequent carbon capture and storage.
The researchers' key message: Avoiding CO2 emissions is the most important prerequisite for achieving Germany's 2045 climate target. In addition, CO2 removal processes (carbon dioxide removal) are necessary, including BECCS and DACCS. These should only be used for residual emissions.
In order to spread risks and increase acceptance, we need a broad portfolio of CDR measures.
Prof. Dr. Roland Dittmeyer gave a talk about Direct Air Capture Technologys.Picture: Jan Pauls/Helmholtz SynCom
Prof. Dr. Roland Dittmeyer from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and coordinator of the Helmholtz Research School for Negative Emission Technologies (NETs@Helmholtz) spoke about direct air capture - the extraction of CO2 from the air with subsequent storage in the ground: “New DAC technologies need to be developed that require less energy and can use waste heat, with components that can be produced cost-effectively on an industrial scale.” In densely populated countries such as Germany, he sees potential for the integration of direct air capture technology in ventilation systems of large industrial plants and office complexes in order to minimize land consumption.
Prof. Dr. Klaus Wallmann from GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel addressed the underground storage of carbon dioxide required for both BECCS and DACCS. He emphasized the necessity of CO2 storage for BECCS, DACCS and industries with unavoidable or difficult to avoid emissions such as the cement industry. And concluded with the key message: “An updated legal framework for the storage and transport of CO2 in Germany and export to neighboring countries must be created in the near future. As the CCS costs are still significantly higher than the CO2 prices in European emissions trading, suitable incentive systems must be created to enable the first CCS projects in Germany.”
The presentations were followed by a lively exchange between the members of the Bundestag and ministry representatives and the speakers.