Germany aims to be one of the first major climate-neutral industrialized nations by 2045. From today’s perspective, it is clear that carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) must also play a role on the path to climate neutrality. The reason for this is that emissions in certain sectors or processes—such as those from waste-to-energy plants—are difficult or otherwise impossible to avoid (so called „hard-to-abate“-sectors).

By the end of 2025, Germany has already established a legal framework for carbon management with theCarbon Dioxide Storage and Transport Act. In 2026, a Carbon Management Action Plan from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) is expected. This plan is intended to build on the key points of the Carbon Management Strategy (CMS) from the last legislative period of the German Bundestag. Expectations for this action plan are high. The ramp-up of a functioning CO₂ value chain faces fundamental challenges. The expert panel will shed light on the opportunities and obstacles in dealing with CO₂.