Governments expect a lot from carbon dioxide removal

Many countries are relying heavily on future options for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in their climate plans. In doing so, they jeopardize securing the most important goal of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees. The scientific research center Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reaches this conclusion after analyzing the climate policies of major emitting countries, including the United States, China and the European Union.

The Committee against Torture has examined the role of eliminating greenhouse gases in the long-term plans of the European Union and 27 countries outside it. Many countries that have set themselves the goal of eventually achieving “net zero emissions” want to focus on this, in addition to actually reducing their emissions. In most plans, this should be done by planting new forests or creating space for other nature reserves.

In addition, countries are placing increasing hope in technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the air that are still under development. Costs are also currently high, at around €400 per ton of CO2. In comparison, in order for companies in the European Union to emit a ton of greenhouse gases, they currently have to pay about 75 euros.

The countries surveyed aim to achieve net-zero emissions, mostly by 2050 (China by 2060). According to researchers’ calculations, its actual emissions do not decrease by more than 80 to 85 percent. To get to zero, the rest must come from removing carbon dioxide. The chance of success there is often uncertain. The technologies are not yet mature, and in forests, for example, there is a risk of fires, with stored carbon dioxide released back into the air. The risk of such fires increases, especially as the climate temperature increases. There is also only “limited space available” for reforestation.