Delaying carbon dioxide removal in the European Union puts climate targets at risk

This paper investigates the implications of delaying Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) actions, specifically focusing on integrating Direct Air Capture and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS and BECCS) into the European Union power mix. Delaying CDR would result in significantly higher costs (0.12–0.19 trillion EUR per year of inaction) and drastically reduce the potential for CO2 removal. Postponing CDR beyond mid-century would nearly halve the removal potential due to underutilized resources and technology diffusion limitations. The study highlights the urgent need for long-term planning and early action on CDR to meet climate targets.

Ángel Galán-Martín, Daniel Vázquez, Selene Cobo, Niall Mac Dowell, José Antonio Caballero, Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez