Governance of Carbon Dioxide Removal (ASMASYS and CDRSynTra)

Removing CO₂ from the atmosphere (Carbon Dioxide Removal, CDR) is essential to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality in Germany, Europe and globally. A wide range of terrestrial, geological, material-based and marine CDR approaches have been proposed, and the scientific understanding of each method varies greatly. The SWP has been involved in the synthesis consortia of two BMBF funding lines on CO₂ removal (CDRmare and CDRterra) since 2021. In both consortia, assessment frameworks are being developed and a synthesis of the evolving state of knowledge is being undertaken to improve future decision-making on German and European climate policy. While the ASMASYS project addresses marine CDR methods, CDRSynTra focuses on land-based methods.

Within CDRmare, ASMASYS is tasked with developing a transdisciplinary assessment framework for marine CO₂ removal methods. Strong emphasis will be put on non-natural science aspects, including legal, social, ethical and political dimensions. Within the consortium, the SWP project team is responsible for assessing the political and institutional feasibility of marine CDR methods, primarily in the context of German and EU climate policy.

CDRSynTra brings together the scientific results produced within the wider CDRterra funding line. The goal is to comprehensively and consistently assess the potential risks and benefits of a portfolio of CDR methods. This will provide a basis for developing a socially acceptable, ecologically sound, and economically and politically robust mix of CDR methods. Within CDRSynTra, the SWP project team focuses on governance and policy instruments for CDR, primarily in the context of German and EU climate policy.