Net‐Zero CO₂ Germany—A Retrospect From the Year 2050

Abstract

Let's take a look at a possible future Germany that has reached its net-zero CO 2 emissions goal by 2050. What are the measures that have contributed to reaching this net-zero system? And what kind of implementation efforts are associated with this portfolio of measures?In this perspective, we outline how a carbon-neutral system for Germany in 2050 could look like, following three strategies of avoiding, reducing, and removing CO 2 emissions. We envision a net-zero-2050 Germany by combining analysis from an energy system model with insights into approaches that allow for a higher carbon circularity in the German system, and first results from assessments of national carbon dioxide removal (CDR) potentials.

Scoping carbon dioxide removal options for Germany–What is their potential contribution to Net-Zero CO2?

“…The amount of CDR required will depend on the progress in reducing emissions. In case we succeed in reducing fossil fuel and industry emissions by 85% in 2050, 1.9 Gt CO 2 /year would need to be removed through CDR in Germany (Mengis et al, 2021). Other studies range between 36 and 63 megatonnes (Mt) of CO 2 per year for remaining, hard-to-abate emissions in Germany (Ariadne Report, 2021;Mengis et al, 2022), which in turn translates into the CDR needed for reaching net-zero.…”

“…In case we succeed in reducing fossil fuel and industry emissions by 85% in 2050, 1.9 Gt CO 2 /year would need to be removed through CDR in Germany (Mengis et al, 2021). Other studies range between 36 and 63 megatonnes (Mt) of CO 2 per year for remaining, hard-to-abate emissions in Germany (Ariadne Report, 2021;Mengis et al, 2022), which in turn translates into the CDR needed for reaching net-zero. Pozo et al (2020) allocate a cumulative CDR quota of 5-18 Gt CO 2 between 2018 and 2100 to Germany based on responsibility, capability and equality considerations.…”

“…This distribution at the national level is a balance of many factors, including environmental effectiveness, equity, political feasibility, economic efficiency and technical requirements (Höhne et al, 2003(Höhne et al, , 2014Gignac and Matthews, 2015). Given Germany's capacities, abilities and responsibilities, a remaining CO 2 budget of 6.9 Gt (1 st January 2021 until net-zero) seems to be a reasonable option (Mengis et al, 2021). It takes into account the infrastructural lock-in in Germany that needs to be overcome and reaches equal-per-capita emissions by 2035 (Mengis et al, 2021).…”

“…Given Germany's capacities, abilities and responsibilities, a remaining CO 2 budget of 6.9 Gt (1 st January 2021 until net-zero) seems to be a reasonable option (Mengis et al, 2021). It takes into account the infrastructural lock-in in Germany that needs to be overcome and reaches equal-per-capita emissions by 2035 (Mengis et al, 2021). Nevertheless, to stay within the assumed carbon budget of 6.9 Gt CO 2 for Germany, net-zero CO 2 emissions have to be achieved.…”

Techno-Economic Assessment of the Integration of Direct Air Capture and the Production of Solar Fuels

“…Many authors have outlined the key role of synthetic fuels in the energy transition. These fuels can become a valuable energy-carrier for storing energy surpluses and transporting them between regions [13][14][15]. In addition, synthetic fuels could solve the challenges of the industries with non-abatable emissions [16][17][18].…”