Representatives of the German and European CCUS community, including industry leaders, policymakers, and trade associations, convened in Berlin for the CCSA Country Spotlight Series to explore the challenges and opportunities of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies in driving industrial decarbonisation in Germany and Europe.
Organised by the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), Europe’s leading trade association covering the full CCUS value chain, the CCSA Country Spotlight Series is a set of national-focused events aimed at sharing CCUS-related developments, best practices, and strategies to accelerate the commercial deployment of the technology.
The half-day conference highlighted recent advancements in carbon management across Europe and examined pathways to scale up CCUS in Germany to enable industrial decarbonisation to meet German and European climate targets. Speakers included Norbert Gerner from the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Daniel Kitscha from the European Commission, Matt Taylor from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Nicklas Kappe, Member of the German Parliament for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Rapporteur for CCU/CCS.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Kappe said: “Carbon management is not a substitute for renewable energy or hydrogen; it is a necessary complement. With the KSpTG – a major achievement of the new German government – we have created the legal foundation that allows carbon-management technologies to operate on an industrial scale. This is a milestone on the way towards a climate-neutral and globally competitive industry”.
Bringing together more than 100 delegates from across Europe, the event took place just days before the German Parliament’s debate on the Carbon Dioxide Storage Act on 6 November, underscoring the growing momentum around CCUS policy and implementation.
Speaking at the CCSA Country Spotlight Series Germany, Olivia Powis, CEO of the CCSA, said: “This event takes place at a particularly fitting moment, as the Bundestag is holding the final discussions on the Carbon Dioxide Storage Act right next door. The momentum for CCUS has never been stronger in Germany. With the right policy framework and continued collaboration between industry and government, we can unlock a new era for carbon management, one that drives industrial decarbonisation, strengthens energy security, and cements Europe’s leadership on the path to net zero”.
Anne-Mette Cheese, Chair of the Advisory Council of the German Carbon Management Alliance (CMA), said: “In Germany, we’re already seeing remarkable momentum: from pioneering capture projects to regional initiatives exploring CO2 infrastructure and storage. These efforts show that carbon management is no longer a distant vision, but a growing reality. The CMA brings together and supports these endeavours, helping to connect projects, share knowledge, and strengthen the framework for a thriving carbon management economy that will be essential to achieving net zero”.