The German government is preparing to allow some industries to capture carbon and store it under the seabed.
This will help Germany achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2045. Germany is planning to allow the technology of capturing carbon in some industries and storing it under the seabed.
Germany’s Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck gave this information. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a technology to reduce carbon emissions. In this, firstly the CO2 released from industrial activities is captured.
Then it is taken to a designated place and stored underground. Industries like steel and cement produce large amounts of carbon emissions. Burning fossil fuels like coal in electricity generation also releases large amounts of carbon.
These activities are playing a big role in global warming. Experts underline that to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, we not only need to reduce emissions, but will also have to work on technologies to remove the carbon present in the atmosphere.
What is Germany’s plan? Habeck told a press conference on the German government’s carbon management strategy that this technology is safe.
Germany wants to become carbon neutral by the year 2045. Currently it tops Europe in terms of CO2 emissions. Habach is also responsible for Germany’s climate change policy.
He said that some industrial sectors like cement production will need to use carbon capture technology. This will allow Germany to reach its climate goals.
According to Habek, collecting CO2 above ground will be prohibited.
A law passed in 2012 gave Germany’s states the right to veto the use of carbon capture technology.
Now Robert Habeck has said that this law also needs to be changed, so that transportation of CO2 obtained from industrial processes can be allowed.
He said that discussions on necessary changes will continue in the coming months. Germany will also use the technology to capture and use carbon.
In this technology, instead of collecting the captured CO2 underground, it will be used in other products.