EU Framework for CO2 Removals – Targets and Commitments

Publication: Document
Citation: Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils 2020: EU Framework for CO₂ Removals – Targets and Commitments. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

Carbon dioxide removals (CDR) are an important element of all scenarios compatible with the Paris Agreement. All existing CDR concepts have significant limitation but there is one no-regret option: the restoration of degraded ecosystems.

The new EU climate architecture should include a separate CDR target that builds primarily on restoring degraded ecosystems. This target should be legally binding and quantified – for the EU and Member States. It should not be a combined target which treats reductions and CDRs equally. This EU's CDR target should be enshrined in the European Climate Law.

Language: English
Authorship: Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf
Funding: European Climate Foundation (ECF), International
Published by: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Year: 2020
Dimension: 25 pp.
Project ID: 60003
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Summary
2 Introduction
3 Criteria for CDR targets
4 How to design CO2 removal targets for the EU
4.1 Quantified emission removal target for the EU
4.2 Qualitative EU CDR target
4.3 Removal targets through restoration of degraded ecosystems
4.4 Removal targets for other CDR concepts?
5 Involving Member States: National removal targets, reference values or pledges?
6 EU removal targets – where is the best legal home?
7 Putting CDR targets into the EU Climate Law (based on COM proposal)
8 References
Keywords: Climate

EU

carbon removals, climate targets

Europe