Permanent carbon removals
What are permanent carbon removals?
Permanent carbon removal refers to activities removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it securely and durably for several centuries. Some examples include:
- Direct air carbon capture with storage (DACCS)
- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and other biomass-based methods (BioCCS),
- Chemically binding CO2 permanently into products,
- and other technological solutions that lead to permanent storage.
The role of permanent carbon removals in the European Green Deal
In December 2021, the Commission introduced the Sustainable Carbon Cycles Communication, proposing the removal of 5 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030 through technological solutions. The more recent Industrial Carbon Management Communication, published in February 2024, outlined comprehensive measures to scale up industrial carbon management, including permanent carbon removal based on carbon capture with storage (CCS) technologies. The Communication identified a set of actions to be taken at EU and national level to establish a single market for CO2 and increase attractiveness for investments in industrial carbon management. The voluntary Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation ensures transparency and high-quality standards for each permanent carbon removal activity, and will help mobilise necessary financing for the scale up of permanent carbon removals while ensuring their environmental integrity.
EU support
Horizon Europe
The Commission supports research, development and innovation for permanent carbon removal technologies mainly through Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, and Mobility) of the Horizon Europe programme.
European Innovation Council
The European Innovation Council supports breakthrough technologies at every stage, from early research to scale-up of start-ups and SMEs.
Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund is one of the world's largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, including permanent carbon removal.
State aid
EU countries may support carbon removal technology through state aid, subject to specific conditions outlined in the Commission’s Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022.