Image: Edgar Nemschok/KAS
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies are moving into focus. If Germany is to achieve its climate targets while safeguarding industrial value creation, it needs political leadership, planning certainty, and the rapid development of the necessary infrastructure. This was the clear message from the event “Carbon Management 2.0 – A Key Component of a Climate-Neutral Economy” held on 7 April in Berlin.
EPICO KlimaInnovation and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) brought together leading voices from politics, industry, science, and civil society to discuss the future of a comprehensive Carbon Management Strategy (CMS 2.0).
The Debate: CCS as a Complement – Not an Excuse
Bernd Weber (Founder and CEO, EPICO) highlighted the urgent need for planning certainty. Many companies feel held back by the lack of a reliable regulatory framework. A recent industry survey conducted in collaboration with the Decision Advisory Group revealed that even sectors with hydrogen pathways are considering CCS as a strategic fallback. He called for the continuation of Carbon Contracts for Difference, closure of funding gaps, and forward-looking infrastructure planning, including CO₂ pipelines. CCS, he emphasised, is not a contradiction to emissions reduction – it is a necessary complement.
Peter Fischer-Bollin (Head of the Analysis and Consulting Department, KAS) highlighted in his opening remarks that achieving climate neutrality by 2045 will be difficult without complementary technologies such as CCS. He also pointed to key challenges – from public acceptance to gaps in infrastructure and viable business models..
Andreas Löschel (Ruhr University Bochum) presented carbon management as a core element of consistent climate policy. Without CCS, many industrial processes will no longer be viable by 2039, once free ETS certificates are phased out. He stressed that Germany urgently needs to improve its regulatory framework for CO₂ transport and storage – including openness to onshore storage options.
The Industry Perspective: CCS Isn’t a Given
Alexandra Decker (Board Member & Corporate Affairs, CEMEX Germany) illustrated how far cement production has already cut emissions – but also made it clear that further reductions will only be possible with CCS. She warned that demand for low-carbon products remains weak and called for green lead markets and supportive frameworks.
Gerrit Riemer (Head of Government Affairs Deutschland, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe) acknowledged that while the focus remains on hydrogen, unavoidable residual emissions will remain. CCS must be integrated into the next phase of transformation, with infrastructure planning starting now.
Politics: Balancing Openness and Responsibility
Andreas Jung (Member of the Bundestag, CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group) advocated for a pragmatic, technology-neutral infrastructure policy – modelled on the hydrogen core network. CCS, he argued, is not a substitute but a necessary building block in Germany’s decarbonisation pathway.
Helmut Kleebank (Member of the Bundestag, SPD Parliamentary Group) warned against using CCS as a pretext for avoiding innovation or backsliding on natural climate protection. He called for an evidence-based public debate and targeted state support to ensure inclusion of structurally weaker regions.
Civil Society Urges Caution and Prioritisation
Jörg-Andreas Krüger (President, NABU) stressed that emissions avoidance must remain the top priority. He warned of potential lock-in effects and called for public acceptance through local dialogue and transparency.
Conclusion: Now Is the Time to Shape CMS 2.0
There was broad consensus: CCS is necessary – but won’t happen on its own. Germany needs clear targets, technological pragmatism, and a politically coordinated framework. A well-designed CMS 2.0 can become a key lever for reducing industrial emissions and strengthening innovation in Germany. Now is the time to act.
What’s next for EPICO?
We’ll soon be heading to Brussels to bring together policymakers and experts from across Europe to discuss national and cross-border strategies for carbon management.
The aim: to exchange best practices in a policy field that is rapidly gaining momentum – both at national level and across the EU.
More to come – stay tuned!