© Elisa, unsplash
BioCas
Multi-level governance of CDR with biomass and its utilisation in cascades.
The BioCas project focuses on biomass-based CO2 removal (bioCDR), which are an important component of Germany’s net-zero target. Since it is still unclear how these removal can be managed in terms of cascading biomass use, BioCas is developing an interdisciplinary multi-level governance concept, analysing suitable bioCDR cascades and developing a practical roadmap for their sustainable implementation and scaling.
Project management
Prof.-Dr.-Ing. Daniela Thrän
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Projekt duration
01.11.2025 – 31.10.2028Project partner
, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum GmbH|Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Hildebrandt, University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz (HSZG)|Dr. Florian Kern, Institute for Ecological Economy Research, gemeinnützig (IÖW)|Dr. Daniela Siedschlag, Dr. Nils Matzner, Dr. Malgorzata Borchers, Dr. Danial Esmaeilialiabadi, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Project goals
The BioCas project addresses the question of how biomass-based CO2 removal (bioCDR) can be implemented sustainably, effectively and responsibly in Germany. BioCDR is considered an important component in achieving Germany’s net-zero target, as certain emissions that are difficult to avoid can only be offset in the long term through active CO2 removal. The cascading use of biomass is particularly promising in this context: it combines CO2 removal with existing value chains and can create additional ecological and social benefits, for example through more efficient use of resources or regional value creation.
Despite this potential, implementing bioCDR cascades is challenging. Their implementation and scaling require coordination between many actors along the biomass chains, from the provision of biomass to the use of the resulting products. This involves a wide range of political, economic and social interests. Although biomass cascades are increasingly being identified as a meaningful approach in political strategies, they have not yet been sufficiently investigated in scientific research, particularly in the areas of bioCDR assessment, governance and modeling. This is where the BioCas project comes in.
The aim of BioCas is to develop a well-founded and practical governance framework for the sustainable development and expansion of bioCDR cascades. To achieve this, the project combines the analysis of specific bioCDR cascades with an interdisciplinary study of existing multi-level governance processes, ranging from the international to the national and local levels. The methodology includes transdisciplinary co-design approaches, holistic assessment procedures, political analyses, case studies and optimisation models.
A central aspect of BioCas is its broad understanding of governance. In addition to market mechanisms and government regulation, non-governmental actors such as certification bodies, industry initiatives and social groups are also involved. The active participation of biomass suppliers, processing companies and industry associations ultimately results in a practical roadmap that shows how bioCDR cascades can be effectively managed, sustainably integrated and step by step scaled up – as a contribution to a long-term sustainable climate strategy.