🎉 Carbon removal makes it into the German Coalition Treaty 🎉

🇩🇪 Big news out of Germany again! The two parties forming the upcoming government - CDU/CSU & SPD - are currently negotiating the so-called “Coalition Treaty”, which sets the priorities for the next four years.

👀 A leaked version gives a glimpse on where things stand. The best upfront: CDR is explicitly recognised by both parties as an essential component to reach Germany’s climate targets. Seems obvious, but trust me when I tell you this is a huge success and great foundation for the work ahead.

WHAT ELSE IS IN THERE?

💶 Both parties want to double down on carbon pricing and the EU Emission Trading System.

🔁 The CDU/CSU is explicitly asking for the integration of CDR into the ETS.

🎯 The CDU/CSU is also pushing for the use of Article 6 credits from outside of the EU to achieve German climate targets and for the EU ETS. While this is getting a lot of criticism, I do believe it could be beneficial as long as we ensure this applies to residual emissions only and is done purely with high quality removals (currently not specified and leaving the door open to reduction credits).

📉 The SPD is supporting the expected 90% emission reduction target for 2040 in the EU.

🏗️ Both parties highlight CCS/CCU as an essential component in climate policy, urging for the immediate build out of the necessary transport and storage infrastructure.

🌬️ Both parties see direct air capture in particular as a promising CDR technology.

🏆 My take: considering the non-existent role of CDR just a few years ago, this is all a big step in the right direction. Clearly, the need for CDR has landed in the top ranks of German politics. Couple this with the recent inclusion of the 2045 net-zero target in Germany’s constitution as well as the €100b fund for climate infrastructure, and you can see why I get excited about Germany as a leader for CDR.

🙌 Yes, there are things I wish had been in there: concrete funding calls for CDR, more technology openness, and an emphasis on rapid adoption of Germany’s CDR strategy. But, overall, I am more than happy with the result.

📣 Huge shout-out to everyone who has been working hard on this, but no one more than the Deutscher Verband für negative Emissionen e.V. (DVNE) dream-team Stefan Schlosser and Nadine Walsh. Make sure to check out their analysis as well for a deeper dive (linked in the comments).

⚠️ Also a reminder that negotiations are not over. We are unlikely to see any chances to positions held by borth parties, but there will still be fierce discussions over party-specific positions. Stay tuned for more.

❓ Whether you are plugged into the process or not: what’s your take on the leak and these positions? Good news for CDR?

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