Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies can play a vital role in the EU’s path toward net-zero and net-negative emissions by enabling the storage of atmospheric and biogenic carbon in durable products and materials. Cement, concrete, and polymer-based construction materials offer particularly promising opportunities for both temporary and permanent carbon storage. However, due to their higher costs compared to fossil-based alternatives, initial market adoption must be guided by policy measures.
While geological storage and natural sinks remains essential, expanding carbon storage in products and materials is equally crucial. Emission reductions should remain the top priority, but integrating CCU into climate policy is necessary to address residual emissions and reverse climate overshoot.
Our recommendations to the EU:
- Create incentives for both permanent and temporary carbon-storing CCU products, by ensuring investment in long-term storage solutions.
- Implement market mechanisms to support the early phase competitiveness, through tax benefits, demand based mechanisms, or regulatory requirements favouring low-carbon materials.
- Support the development of CCU-based materials with high carbon storage potential, including construction and industrial materials.
- Avoid over-reliance on temporary carbon storages — apply the like-for-like principle to align storage duration with the lifespan of the emissions being offset.
Read full policy brief Role of CCU based materials and products as CDR (pdf)
This policy brief is the third and last in CLC’s series on carbon dioxide removal (CDR), following our earlier publications on integrating removals into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and A policy roadmap for scaling novel CDR in the EU to achieve net-negative emissions. The series aims to support the development of a robust, scalable CDR ecosystem in Europe, one that can help the EU lead the global transition toward net-negative emissions. As highlighted in our broader initiative, current mitigation efforts alone are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Even after reaching net-zero, residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors will persist, and reversing climate overshoot will require sustained and large-scale carbon removal.
Further information: Juha Turkki, juha.turkki@clc.fi
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