CO₂ sinks – greenhouse gas neutrality in the EU and Germany

How far have CO₂ storage and extraction systems developed in Europe?

Our study for the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt UBA) evaluated planned and ongoing CO₂ capture projects in Europe, focusing on BECCUS and DACCUS projects (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage and Direct Air Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage).

CO₂ sinks as an important building block on the road to climate neutrality

An evaluation of the national energy and climate plans of the EU member states shows that

• Most countries have set themselves the goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. However, the CO₂ removal targets of the countries in Europe and their storage in CO₂ sinks differ greatly from one another.
• Some countries are looking into carbon capture and storage (CCS) and negative emissions, but there is a lack of uniform and clear targets for the various areas.
• Even though many of the technologies are already highly mature, there are still considerable uncertainties, particularly with regard to the long-term behaviour of CO₂ within the various storage structures.
• In addition, further research and development is needed, particularly with regard to leakage rates, leakage volumes and the environmental impact of leaks on marine ecosystems, for example, but also with regard to the acceptance of CO₂ storage technologies.
• The extent to which the required storage volumes can actually be realised under the influence of ecological, economic, legal and spatial planning requirements cannot be predicted at this stage.

Cost analysis for CO₂ capture

The study shows significant cost differences between different CO₂ capture pathways:

• CO₂ capture at point sources in the UK and subsequent transport by ship abroad is in most cases more cost-effective than direct capture from the ambient air (Direct Air Capture, DAC) at the storage or utilisation site.
• In methanol production, too, process chains involving CO₂ capture at a thermal waste treatment plant, including CO₂ export, are often more economical than DAC-based methanol production.
• The costs of CO₂ capture are the decisive cost driver for the entire value chain.
• Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU): In methanol production, hydrogen supply is the largest cost component.
• Transport costs play a minor role overall.

The study deliberately focuses on cost comparisons – the climate and environmental impacts of the options were not evaluated.

Our approach

We carried out the following steps for the study in collaboration with the Öko-Institut:

• Techno-economic analysis of the entire CCUS process chain
• Detailed analysis of geological CO₂ storage
• Evaluation of announced storage projects in Europe in terms of injection rates
• Probability of implementation of announced storage projects by 2030
• Examination of the climate strategies of individual EU countries with regard to the use of CCS and negative emissions

Links and downloads

Study: Techno-ecological analysis of CO₂ capture technologies (PDF, in German)

Study: Cost analysis for CO₂ capture (PDF, in German)

Further information on the UBA website (in German)

Project team: Paurnima Kulkarni, Saskia Lengning, Sebastian Lübbers, Dr Fabian Muralter, Lennart Schulz

Last update: 22.01.2026