In a joint letter addressed to EU Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra, 45 organizations, trade bodies, and companies across the bioenergy, carbon removal, and carbon trading value chains call upon urging the EU Commissioner-designate to prioritize sustainable Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) initiatives in the upcoming EU mandate.
The formation of the new European Commission is a pivotal moment to ensure that carbon removal becomes a pillar in Europe’s fight against climate change.
This is the moment for the European Union to commit to negative emissions.
In the open letter, the signatories highlight that Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is essential to achieving net-zero goals.
Beyond the climate benefits, scaling up the CDR sector offers a significant economic opportunity for the EU. It can create high-quality jobs across Europe and support communities, and it can play a key role in enhancing the EU’s competitiveness.
The letter notes that Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and biochar could play a leading role in delivering negative emissions.
BECCS captures and stores biogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) from biomass conversion, actively reducing atmospheric CO₂ while providing heat and/or power.
Biochar can be produced alongside bioenergy, for example, via biomass pyrolysis with carbon capture and removal, as a stable carbon form.
It can enhance soil aeration and fertility, support water filtration and management, and even provide a bio-based alternative in the construction sector.
The letter outlines four key recommendations to support CDR scale-up:
- Separate targets for emissions reductions and removals.
- Increased CDR funding across all technology stages.
- Clear guidance for CDR buyers under the Green Claims Directive.
- Policies to secure long-term demand for CDR.
The signatories stress that the EU’s current approach to CDR is fragmented, with various pieces of legislation addressing only parts of this critical sector
Therefore, to close existing gaps and ensure a coordinated approach, building on the priorities outlined above, “we urge the European Commission to develop a comprehensive Carbon Dioxide Removal Strategy, complete with a clear roadmap outlining key milestones from now until 2050.”
