Deploying carbon removal technologies in industry is key to achieving Green Deal goals

In its September plenary, the EESC adopted an own-initiative opinion on the EU industry decarbonisation technologies.

The adoption of the EU Climate Law has set an ambitious emission reduction target for 2030, and confirmed the climate neutrality objective for 2050. Meeting these goals would require carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies to be deployed. The less rapid and stringent the greenhouse gas emissions reductions are, the stronger the dependence on CDR for meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement.

''Decarbonisation will require a deep transformation of industrial activities within a time depth of 30 years'', said Andrés Barceló Delgado, rapporteur for the opinion. ''Although many low-carbon technologies already exist, their progress is still low. We will need ambitious technology roadmaps to upscale and widely deploy these breakthrough technologies, and the EU must promote innovation through the climate and innovation funds'', he added.

Depending on when CDR is deployed, it can serve two different purposes: i) accelerate achieving net-zero emissions by compensating for those from harder-to-abate sectors, and thus increasing the likelihood of staying within the temperature thresholds; or ii) bring global warming below the thresholds following a temperature peak above them (an overshoot).

''Development of technologies, together with education and reskilling of the workforce, is vital for the green transition in the manufacturing industry. Social dialogue at both European, Member State and regional level should support awareness and acceptance of, and support for, a green and just transition in the industry. Capacity building and projects to define key skills will be essential in order to ensure an effective industrial transition that leaves no one behind'', said co-rapporteur for the opinion, Monika Sitárová. (ks)