German climate policy

Habeck now wants to store CO2 on the high seas

Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck(Bild: APA/AFP/STEFANIE LOOS)

In order to achieve the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2045, the German government wants to store CO₂ emissions from certain industries on the high seas in future. "The technology is safe," emphasized Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) on Monday.

Specifically, the climate-damaging emissions are to be captured and stored in the seabed. Storage on land, which is controversial even among scientists, is to remain prohibited.

Storage not in marine protected areas
The German government has not yet decided when Habeck will be able to implement his plan. The Environment Ministry, which is led by the Greens, pointed out that departmental coordination had only just begun. It is good that Habeck has emphasized that this should not take place in marine protected areas, said a spokesperson in Berlin on Monday. A spokesperson for Habeck's Ministry of Economic Affairs explained the difference between the planned storage under the seabed and the ban on storage on land, stating that this would be difficult due to the density of population.

Natural gas production platforms (such as this one in Norway) have the necessary infrastructure to return the climate-damaging CO₂ to the ground.(Bild: APA/AFP/DANIEL SANNUM LAUTEN)

Habeck referred to other countries such as Norway and Denmark, where such storage facilities have been in place for some time. Environmental Action Germany spoke of "life-prolonging measures for fossil gas-fired power plants". In addition, the North Sea is being transformed into a waste disposal park. "We call on the Federal Cabinet and the Bundestag not to approve this proposal." According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the focus is on CO₂ emissions that are difficult or impossible to avoid. State subsidies are planned here.

Controversial: Will CO₂ repositories remain permanently sealed?
Greenpeace also criticized the plans. The strategy bears the hallmarks of the industry. According to Greenpeace energy expert Karsten Smid, it allows things to continue as they are and puts the brakes on measures to avoid emissions. A gigantic disposal infrastructure is to be created. "The cross-border trade in CO₂ waste is promoting a new business model: the more carbon dioxide, the more money can be made." Furthermore, there is no scientific proof that the CO₂ repositories will remain permanently sealed.

Government in Vienna also wants to overturn storage ban
In Austria, there is also a ban on underground storage because there are concerns about possible environmental damage if the CO₂ suddenly escapes. Both the responsible Mining Minister Magnus Brunner and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (both ÖVP) want to overturn this ban.