Germany proposes draft law to enable carbon capture and storage

Germany’s economy and climate ministry have unveiled proposals for legal changes to facilitate the deployment of carbon capture and storage or use (CCS/CCU), along with the transportation and offshore storage of carbon within the country. 

The Federal Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, presented draft ‘key points’ for a future carbon management strategy, emphasizing that public support for CCS/CCU will target emissions that are difficult or impossible to avoid. 

The proposed changes also include ratifying an amendment to the London Protocol to enable the export of CO2. While carbon storage will be permitted in Germany’s offshore zone, it will remain banned onshore, with exceptions for protected areas. 

The ministry highlighted the necessity of CCS for achieving climate targets and emphasized the importance of negative emissions strategies. The proposed legal framework aims to facilitate CO2 pipeline infrastructure under state regulation. 

The draft legislation will undergo further review by other ministries, federal states, and associations. Germany aims to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045, with carbon management playing a significant role in meeting this target.