On 5 February, 2026 Carbon Gap and Sweco launched Germany’s Carbon Removal Readiness Assessment in Berlin with the participation of policymakers, industry players, and relevant stakeholders.
An inspiring group of CDR experts and partners marked this milestone and dove into what it will take for Germany to scale high-quality carbon removal. The message: Germany has the potential to deploy a diverse portfolio of CDR methods and reach more than 90 MtCO₂ per year by 2045.
Combined with deep and rapid emissions reductions, that level of removal could keep the country on track for its legal net-zero and net-negative targets. Now is the moment to build momentum: from policy signals to CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure, and from pilots to real-world delivery at scale. The credibility of net-zero depends on CDR getting off the ground quickly, and despite many challenges remaining, the ideas and ambition shared in the room yesterday made that feel genuinely achievable.
Our analysis highlights:
• High-ambition pathways can fully offset Germany’s expected residual emissions by 2045
• Low ambition risks falling far short, delivering only around 47 MtCO₂ removals, despite a theoretical potential of ~258 MtCO₂ per year
• Geological CO₂ storage and transport infrastructure are key constraints that must be addressed urgently
• A diversified portfolio of approaches, from DACCS to biochar, will be essential
• Public support is emerging, but clear regulation and market frameworks are still missing
The consensus among the crowd was clear – Germany has a real opportunity to lead on carbon removals in Europe; but under investment now could jeopardise climate targets later.