Lower Saxony’s Environment Minister, Christian Meyer, has outlined a cautious stance on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, suggesting its application should be limited to sectors where emission avoidance is currently unfeasible. In comments published Wednesday, Meyer indicated CCS could play a role in achieving climate neutrality in industries like cement production, where eliminating all emissions proves particularly challenging.
However, he also cautioned against viewing CCS as a simple solution to climate change, stressing that it shouldn’t be used to prolong reliance on fossil fuels like coal or gas. He specifically referenced a draft law from Federal Economics Minister Katharina Reiche allowing CCS to be used with gas power plants and in the production of “blue” hydrogen from natural gas.
Currently, CCS is largely prohibited by law in Lower Saxony. A corresponding federal law is in development that would enable CCS, as well as carbon capture and utilization (CCU), on an industrial scale, with potential storage sites located in the North Sea or on the continental shelf.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognizes CCS as a crucial tool in managing unavoidable emissions from industries like cement, steel and chemicals. However, the IPCC also warns that relying heavily on carbon removal technologies could diminish the urgency for immediate emission reductions.
Practical deployment of CCS has been hindered by high costs and difficulties in scaling up projects, leaving current capacities significantly behind projected levels. A significant challenge remains ensuring the long-term integrity of underground storage sites, preventing captured carbon dioxide from re-entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
