Overview

• The federal cabinet approved a draft amendment to the CO₂ Storage Act on August 5 to authorize commercial-scale carbon capture, utilization and storage in Germany.
• The proposal excludes CO₂ capture from coal-fired and heating plants while permitting sequestration from gas power stations and blue hydrogen production.
• The draft now proceeds to the Bundestag for debate and approval, paving the way for a national CO₂ transport network and offshore storage infrastructure.
• Hamburg’s Green-led Senate has commissioned feasibility studies for capturing emissions at its waste-to-energy facilities in pursuit of its 2045 climate neutrality target.
• Environmental groups and opposition figures warn that CCS could lock in fossil interests, inflate costs and divert attention from direct emissions reductions.