abcdr_agroforst_frankreich

Agrofrostbeispiel in Frankreich

abcdr_agroforst_frankreich-aspect-ratio-1-1

Agroforstsystem auf der Domaine de Restinclières in Südfrankreich

abcdr_4c-2-2

ABCDR_4c

Dr. Christoph Müller

Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry systems. Ideally, such mixed systems can release great synergies that have a positive impact on water balance, nutrient balance, biodiversity, crop yields, humus formation and carbon sequestration. Agroforestry systems are already widespread in many parts of the world, but hardly so in Germany.

ABCDR

Text

The ABCDR project investigates why agroforestry systems are not more widely used and how this could change in the future. For this purpose, we analyse the biophyiscal potentials, the decision-making processes of farmers, and the role of climate and agricultural policy. We work with different scientific approaches, incorporate stakeholder knowledge and practice, and use computer simulations to explore both the biophysical potential and possible agro-economic future pathways in which agroforestry systems play a greater role than they do at present. The three-year research project ABCDR started on 1.8.2022, and is carried out by scientists from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the University of Bonn. It is part of the CDRterra research programme of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Project goals

Media

da_workflow_deutsch-1

Workflow der Entscheidungsanalyse

Slider

Insights to the project

ABCDR - CDRterra

Home

Verbünde

CDRterra

teeb-2

TEEB

beccs-massnahmen-aspect-ratio-1-1

BECCS-Massnahmen-aspect-ratio-1-1

bionet_4c-2-2

BioNET_4c

Prof.-Dr.-Ing. Daniela Thrän

Dr. Peter Elsasser

Prof. Christoph Müller

Dr. Nora Szarka

Dr. Nils Matzner

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Hildebrandt

What is the potential of biobased negative emission technologies, in short NETs? And what expectations are placed on them? The joint project BioNET analyses these questions and provides a <a href="https://datalab.dbfz.de/bionet/home?lang=en">knowledge base</a> for the evaluation of biobased technologies.

BioNET

A key element of policy strategies to achieve the net zero target in 2050: Technologies and concepts to capture CO₂ using biomass. These bio-based negative emission technologies – in short NETs – can be embedded in agricultural and forestry value chains in a wide variety of ways. Due to the manifold risks in feasibility and market introduction, these concepts have not yet found a sufficiently clearly manageable application – also because a holistic evaluation taking into account local as well as regional conditions has been lacking so far.
The joint project BioNET aims to close this gap and establish an information platform for politics, agriculture, forestry and science with sound data on the potential of bio-based NETs. This should enable stakeholders to consider biobased negative emission technologies in their work and decisions, and serve as an orientation and decision-making aid for the possible use of NETs. The objectives of the BioNET project are:
<ol>
<li>Provide a transparent and widely accessible database on bio-based NETs,</li>
<li>new participatory approaches to investigate social and institutional feasibility, and</li>
<li>Development and holistic assessment of national scenarios for bio-based NETs taking into account the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</li>
</ol>
Stakeholder organisations in Germany are involved in all phases of the project. In the selected case study regions in the Rhine-Neckar region and in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the BioNET project team is working closely with practice partners from agriculture and forestry as well as with local and regional politics. The aim is to achieve a common understanding of concepts and processes and to build trust in bio-based NETs. The project team also wants to identify and help overcome barriers such as concerns about economic losses.

Insights into the project

BioNET - CDRterra

trees-gfd937e3e8_1920-aspect-ratio-1920-788

trees-gfd937e3e8_1920

trees-gfd937e3e8_1920-aspect-ratio-1-1

cdrpoet_4c-2-2

CDRPoEt_4c

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bauhus

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Christian Baatz

Matthias Honegger

Claire Fyson

Dennis Taenzler

The CDR-PoEt project examines policy instruments for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) from the atmosphere and their fairness implications based on recognized policy principles and stakeholder deliberations.

CDR-PoEt

The focus of the CDR-PoEt project is to analyse possible political instruments for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and their fairness implications. Specifically, the project examines the economic, socio-cultural and institutional feasibility of CDR in five work packages. These serve as the basis for policy recommendations at local and (inter) national level.
When developing concrete policy options, CDR-PoEt refers to recognized policy principles and considers the views of central stakeholders, at all research steps through a deliberative process: the identification and formulation of governance principles, the operationalization of evaluation criteria, the definition and evaluation of CDR policy instruments and scenarios for a fair distribution of responsibility for the implementation of CDR.
In this way, possible practical ways are shown which allow deliberative political learning and thus offer a basis for the responsible design of policies as well as research and innovation. The project team applies the conceptual considerations to three CDR cases: direct CO₂ extraction from the air (DACCS), use of biomass with CO₂ storage and agroforestry approaches. Our comparative and evidence-based analysis helps to identify key elements and distribution policy implications.
We work out similarities and differences between CDR policies, which should be reflected in policy making as well as in technology-specific policy elements. Taking a socio-technical system perspective that goes beyond economic and technical calculations of costs and potentials, this research will contribute to the refinement of the understanding of &#8220;CDR feasibility&#8221; or &#8220;potentials&#8221;. With this perspective on acceptance and acceptability as well as fairness, an alternative, socially more robust way of determining the design and potential of successful policy instruments is shown, which should stimulate both research and political deliberation.

CDR-PoEt - CDRterra

cdrsyntra_alpenlandschaft-scaled-aspect-ratio-2560-1064

cdrsyntra_alpenlandschaft

Aufforstung oder Entwaldung als Klimachance

cdrsyntra_alpenlandschaft-scaled-aspect-ratio-1-1

cdrsyntra_alpenlandschaft-scaled-aspect-ratio-2560-1306

cdrsyntra_4c-2-2

CDRSynTra_4c

Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz

Prof. Dr. Helmuth Trischler

Prof. Dr. Andreas Oschlies, Dr. Hela Mehrtens

Dr. Diana Rechid

Dr. Stefan Schäfer

Dr. Felix Havermann, Dr. Christian Hoiß

Prof. Dr. Jan Minx, Prof. Dr. Sabine Fuss

Prof. Dr. Elmar Kriegler, Dr. Jessica Strefler

Dr. Oliver Geden

Designing sensible paths of CDR deployment in Germany requires a profound knowledge base that comprehensively evaluates possible CDR measures. They must be developed through a dialogue between researchers, policymakers and civil society.

CDRSynTra

Globally as well as in Germany, type and scale of CDR are a key consideration in developing pathways to greenhouse gas neutrality. CDR measures include terrestrial, geological, material-based and marine approaches. The state of knowledge varies widely across methods. Not only technical limits to CO₂ uptake need to be explored, but realistic potentials need to be estimated that avoid conflicts over resources such as water or land, take societal processes into account, are ecologically sustainable, and are economically and politically feasible. It is essential to understand how the different CDR measures are to be evaluated across all these dimensions and compare against each other and also interact with each other in order to define their role in climate change mitigation pathways. But so far, no common framework exists to compare CDR measures and additionally evaluate trade-offs of CDR with other sustainability goals.
The synthesis project, CDRSynTra, that accompanies the CDR program unites the research results of the projects. Its overarching goal is to evaluate the potentials and impacts of the various methods in a comprehensive, common assessment framework. This will lay the scientific foundations on which a socially acceptable and ecologically and economically sensible mix of CDR methods can be developed. To this end, CDRSynTra works in three research pillars on Earth system analysis, emission reduction and CO₂ removal pathways, and governance and policy design. A comprehensive screening of the international CDR research landscape optimizes the research impact.
To ensure that proposed emission reduction and CO₂ removal pathways are feasible, an intensive dialogue with stakeholders is maintained throughout the program. Even the selection of relevant criteria for an assessment framework can only be made in close exchange with the public, industry and politics. Transparent communication of the research results to the public is also a major concern of the project and is implemented, for example, through museum exhibitions and a school program. Wherever possible, not only linear formats of science communication, but participatory and dialogue-oriented approaches are pursued.
CDRSynTra also acts as the interface to the research mission &#8220;Marine carbon sinks in decarbonisation pathways&#8221; of the German Marine Research Alliance and will be responsible for the overall scientific synthesis on land-based and marine CDR methods, which can thus be considered in comparison to each other and in combination.

CDRSynTra - CDRterra

cdrterra-ueber_cdrterra-mobile

cdrterra-header-team-mobile-aspect-ratio-1-1

cdrterra-header-team-mobile

Die Übersicht vom Forschungsteam von CDRterra

cdrterra-header-team-tablet

dac-tales_4c-2-2

DAC-TALES_4c

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt.Ing. Niklas von der Aßen

A promising technology for negative emissions is direct air capture of CO₂ with subsequent storage (DACCS). DAC-TALES assesses the potential of the DACCS technology using an interdisciplinary approach.

DAC-TALES

Direct Air (Carbon) Capture and Storage (DACCS) of CO₂ from the atmosphere is widely discussed in politics and science as a measure to compensate for residual emissions that are very difficult or very cost-intensive to avoid. The first commercial DACCS plants are already in operation. Guiding politics and research for implementing DACCS, It is crucial to determine the potentials as well as the risks and challenges for large-scale deployment in order to prepare the appropriate direction in politics and research regarding the use of DACCS in the coming years.
Available studies consider the evaluation of DACCS based on technological, ecological, economic, or social aspects. So far, these aspects have mainly been studied separately. However, for the large-scale deployment of DACCS, an integrated, transdisciplinary and multi-scale assessment method is required.
Within the DAC-TALES project, data from laboratory experiments will be used to build Direct Air Capture (DAC) models, e.g. to be able to predict the energy demand of CO₂ capture depending on operation modes and capture materials. These models are then linked to CO₂ storage and integrated into an energy system model. Thereby, system-wide effects can be investigated along the entire DACCS value chain. Life-cycle and techno-economic analysis will be used to assess the environmental and economic impacts of deploying DACCS on a climate-relevant scale. In addition, the social acceptance of DACCS will be investigated in order to identify social barriers at an early stage. The results from the acceptance research are continuously fed back into the technical development. Subsequently, a climate economic assessment will be used to determine the social value of DACCS under multiple risks from a global perspective.
The transdisciplinary assessment approach in DAC-TALES allows to determine at what scale and how fast the deployment of DACCS needs to be carried out to impact climate change effectively. Thus, the DAC-TALES project can contribute to shaping the future policy and research agenda regarding the deployment of DACCS.

DAC-TALES - CDRterra

cdrterra-daccuss-titelbild

cdrterra-daccuss-titelbild-mobile-aspect-ratio-1-1

cdrterra-daccuss-titelbild-mobile

daccus_4c-2-2

DACCUS_4C

Dr. Erik Frank

Kolja Kuse

The DACCUSS-Pre project investigates the absorption and fixation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a novel lightweight material made of hard rock, carbon fibers and biochar for permanent carbon storage.

DACCUSS-Pre

New building concepts, with the help of new building materials, can make a significant contribution to introducing a carbon economy in construction, which should become as CO₂-negative as possible, as construction provides the greatest leverage in the industrial sector.

algentraeger-aspect-ratio-795-354

algentraeger

Doppel-T-Träger aus Algen als Stahlersatz

Algenträger als Stahlersatz

algentraeger-aspect-ratio-683-354

algentraeger-aspect-ratio-781-354

DACCUSS is investigating the storage of natural carbon in sustainably bound form based on new material systems made of carbon fibres (C-fibres) and hard rock for the development of a new structure for self-supporting house wall elements with innovative insulation made of biochar. 
The technical storage of CO₂ in solid materials such as carbon fibres from biogenic sources (algae oil) was the subject of BMBF funding with the &#8220;Green Carbon Project&#8221; at the TU Munich. The green C-fibre was processed into carbon fibre stone (CFS®) in combination with hard rock and resin. 
In DACCUS, the efficiency with which CO₂ for algae production can be filtered directly from the air is demonstrated. Using passive CO₂ filters (Mechanical Trees®) as an example, the entire value chain from CO₂ from the ambient air to prefabricated elements for the construction industry will be covered.
The wall is developed, built and tested from CFS®. The CO₂ sequestration potential is contained in all components of this house wall: the C-fibre, the stone and the insulation layer.
The green C-fibre has the same characteristic values as the PAN-based fibres derived from fossil sources and permanently stores 3.5kg of CO₂ equivalents per kg of C-fibre, if it is not burnt after use, as is currently the case. 
The weathering of the rock used additionally contributes to CO₂ sequestration. The cut slabs of the CFS wall lead to CO₂ removal when the surfaces weather, and the rock dust produced during cutting can be used as mineral fertiliser in agriculture, for example. The resulting enhanced weathering in the soil additionally returns large quantities of CO₂ to the geological cycle.
The expected overall CO₂ balance of the wall is negative.
Partners in the project are DITF (German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research), Labor für Stahl- und Leichtmetallbau GmbH, TechnoCarbonTechnologies, University of Hamburg and AHP GmbH &amp; CoKG, which will subject the entire process chain to an LCA and a techno-economic analysis (TEA), as well as TU Munich/WSSB, GvU GmbH and Carbon Collect Ltd (Ireland) as associated partners.

DACCUSS-Pre - CDRterra

cdrterra-gonasip-titelbild

Gartenanlage vor blauem Himmel

cdrterra-gonasip-titelbild-mobile-aspect-ratio-1-1

cdrterra-gonasip-titelbild-mobile

gonasip_4c-2-2

GONASIP_4c

Prof. Dr. Erik Gawel

GONASIP investigates these influences to understand how limited available land resources can be used for natural CDR methods that will increase societal benefits.

GONASIP

There are both technical and natural methods to remove climate-damaging CO₂ (carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere. Measures to naturally sequester carbon in soils range from municipal afforestation in cities, tree planting on unsealed brownfield sites to carbon storage in agricultural soils, for example. In addition to contributing to climate protection, these natural CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal) measures can create further added value for society through increased ecosystem services such as improved water storage in the soil or increased local recreational value of the landscape.
At the same time, natural CDR measures can also cause opportunity costs, in other words, restrict other productive uses. For example, intensive agriculture or new areas for residential and commercial buildings may not be compatible with natural CDR measures. Moreover, the costs of implementing natural CDR measures usually drop back to landowners while the benefits of ecosystem services are often a public good, so that the incentive for landowners to implement natural CDR measures is often too low.
However, both the social added values and the opportunity costs of land use vary depending on the specific CDR measure. Other factors of the site such as space and actors do also influence the valuation as well.
Given these heterogeneous factors, the question arises, how limited land resources can be used for natural CDR measures in ways that effectively increase societal benefits.
The research work of the GONASIP project aims to contribute to answering this important practical question. The objectives of the project are:
<ol>
<li>Assess the potential of different natural CDR measures for carbon storage and ecosystem services for site-specific conditions,</li>
<li>identify and assess the location- and actor-specific societal added values and costs associated with the implementation of natural CDR measures, and</li>
<li>to analyse how the regulatory framework, i.e. the relevant European and national legislation, for example in the field of agricultural, environmental, and spatial planning law, influences decisions for or against the use of natural CDR measures. It will also have to be explored, how the multiple heterogeneous characteristics of natural CDR measures could be considered in the further development of the regulatory framework in order to provide incentives for the efficient use of land resources by natural CDR measures.</li>
</ol>
The GONASIP project focuses its analyses on selected carbon storage measures in agriculture and municipal afforestation.
The researchers use stakeholder-based assessment approaches for this. Key stakeholder groups are involved in workshops and surveys to support the impact assessment of the use of natural CDR measures as well as the economic assessment of the societal added values of natural CDR measures.
In this way, GONASIP contributes to the expansion of knowledge about the potentials and risks of natural CDR measures, to the assessment of the extent of heterogeneity of their costs and societal added values as well as to the possibilities of using these findings for the further development of the regulatory framework.

urbaner-wald-g%c2%b8terbahnhof-plagwitz

Urbaner Wald / Güterbahnhof Plagwitz

GONASIP - CDRterra

cdrterra-header-team-mobile-aspect-ratio-1-1-2

netpec_4c-2-2

NETPEC_4C

Dr. Matthias May

Prof. Dr. Kira Rehfeld

The NETPEC concept envisages using artificial photosynthesis to extract CO₂ from the atmosphere and convert it into products that can be stored over the long term. An initial process is being developed and tested for efficiency and usability.

NETPEC

If negative emissions have to be realized on the scale that is currently emerging, aspects such as long-term storability and land consumption will become very important in addition to costs. The artificial photosynthesis approach investigated in the project allows, at least in theory, to minimize land consumption and associated challenges. Similar to natural photosynthesis, CO₂ is converted into another substance using energy from sunlight. The choice of the photoelectrochemically generated product can be adapted to the storability. Here, oxalate and coal flakes are investigated first. Since the concept is still new, the NETPEC project scrutinizes which of the products have the greatest potential in terms of long-term, safe storability and what conversion efficiencies can actually be achieved. To this end, adapted catalysts and solar cells are developed and combined to form a photoelectrochemical carbon sink. Furthermore, the climatic conditions will be modeled and the sustainability of the entire process chain will be evaluated. The project will allow a first assessment of whether and to what extent photoelectrochemical approaches could be a useful complement to the methods of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal that have been mainly investigated so far.

modified_netpec_figure_he_neue-grafik

modified_NETPEC_figure_HE_neue grafik

As the concept is still new, the NETPEC project is investigating which of the products have the greatest potential in terms of long-term safe storability and what conversion efficiencies can actually be achieved. For this purpose, adapted catalysts and solar cells are being developed and combined to form a photoelectrochemical carbon sink.
Furthermore, the climatic conditions will be modelled and the sustainability of the entire process chain will be evaluated. The project will allow an initial assessment of whether and to what extent photoelectrochemical approaches could be a useful addition to the methods of terrestrial carbon dioxide removal that have mainly been studied so far.

In search of the greatest potential

NETPEC - CDRterra

41029_25_fona_pymicss_page_002-2

41029_25_fona_pymicss_page_002

41029_25_fona_pymicss_page_002-aspect-ratio-1-1

pymiccs_4c-2-2

PyMiCCS_4c

Prof. Dr. Jens Hartmann

Two effective methods of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are already well known: the use of biochar and enhanced weathering. Researchers of the PyMiCCS project are investigating how to ideally combine the two methods. The aim is to improve CO2 sequestration and agricultural soil quality.

PyMiCCS

Biochar is obtained by pyrolysis of biomass, such as straw, green waste or manure. During this process, biomass is charred in the absence of air. When incorporated into soils, it permanently stores carbon. It can be used in a variety of ways in agriculture &#8211; as water retaining substance, a carrier for nutrients, and a habitat for microorganisms. 
In enhanced weathering of rocks its natural properties are used: CO2 is dissolved in rainwater and corrodes the rock. This produces dissolved carbonate compounds in the water. This process can be deliberately enhanced &#8211; for example, by grinding the rock to very small grain sizes and exposing it to humid climate on agricultural land. The dust can also improve soil fertility and thus crop yields &#8211; because it supplies important nutrients such as potassium. The resulting carbonate compounds are transported by rivers to the sea, where they counteract ocean acidification. 
The PyMiCCS project (Pyrogenic carbon and carbonating minerals for enhanced plant growth and carbon capture and storage) now wants to find out whether the joint application of biochar and enhanced weathering has positive synergistic effects &#8211; for example, an improvement of soil properties. 
But what is smartest way to combine the two methods? Which type of rock or biochar is best suited? The researchers will investigate these questions in detail &#8211; first in the laboratory, later in the field and ultimately with the help of ecosystem models to calculate global potentials for CO2 sequestration and soil improvement.

PyMiCCS - CDRterra

stepsec_laendliche-oekosysteme-scaled-aspect-ratio-2560-1200

stepsec_laendliche-oekosysteme

Ökosystem an Land

stepsec_laendliche-oekosysteme-scaled-aspect-ratio-1-1

stepsec_laendliche-oekosysteme-scaled-aspect-ratio-2560-1310

stepstec_4c-2-2

STEPSTEC_4C

Terrestrial ecosystems are the focus of rapidly deployable methods to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. This requires a comparative assessment of measures, taking into account socio-ecological constraints.

STEPSEC

Afforestation and reforestation, forest management, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) are among the much-discussed measures to take up and store CO2, as some of them are considered &#8220;nature-based solutions&#8221;, which could further be deployed relatively quickly. However, developing climate change mitigation pathways requires estimates of how much CO2 these terrestrial measures will remove from the atmosphere.
These potentials must also be weighed against side-effects of deploying such measures, particularly unintended impacts on the Earth system such as land/resource competition with food production and water use, impacts on biodiversity, and changes in climate due to changes of the energy and water balance. In addition, societal processes present barriers to implementation. However, currently, no feasibility assessment exists that integrates these considerations and compares the major terrestrial carbon dioxide removal (CDR) measures. This will be provided by the STEPSEC project.

STEPSEC goes beyond previous studies by estimating the CDR potentials of re/-afforestation, forest management, and BECCS based on simulations with several Dynamic Global Vegetation Models, and integrating new process detail regarding, e.g, the influences of weather extremes. The project contrasts expected CDR potentials with their unintended impacts on the Earth system and thus identifies synergies or trade-offs with other sustainable development goals, in particular the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
STEPSEC integrates the scientific assessment with aspects of socio-economic feasibility.
The project will integrate all socio-environmental indicators considered, extend existing frameworks for feasibility assessments, and add ethical criteria of desirability andacceptability. In this way, STEPSEC will contribute methodologically and quantitatively to a comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment of terrestrial CDR methods needed for informed decision-making in Germany.

CDR potentials of (re)afforestation

STEPSEC - CDRterra

About CDRterra

Research team

Partner program

Research projects

Publications

Newsroom

Contact

footer-en

legal-en

Integrated Assessment Framework

Research programme

CDR Dialog 2023

research projects

main-en

We use cookies to personalise content and ads, offer social media features and analyse traffic to our website. This involves transferring information to social media, advertising and analytics service providers.
These providers may combine this information with other data that you have provided to them or that they have collected in the course of your use of the services. This may include data processing outside the EEA, e.g. in the USA. Under Settings, you can make a selection of the services or refuse them.
You can revoke or change your consent individually at any time with effect for the future.
If you are under 16 and wish to give your consent to voluntary services, you must ask your legal guardian for permission.
We use cookies and other technologies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience. Personal data may be processed (e.g. IP addresses), for example for personalised ads and content or ad and content measurement. For more information about how we use your data, please see our privacy policy. You can revoke or adjust your selection at any time under Settings.

Legal Notice

cadrterra-contentblocker-2

cadrterra-contentblocker

cadrterra-favicon-2

cadrterra-favicon

Twitter content is blocked because otherwise Twitter would automatically set cookies. If you want to view the content, you must agree to the setting of cookies by Twitter by clicking on &#8220;Load Feed&#8221;. To go to the provider&#8217;s privacy policy, press &#8220;More info&#8221;.

Twitter

Privacy Settings

aunds-cookie

Cookie Consent Cookie

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper functioning of the website, therefore they cannot be deselected.

Essential cookies 

External providers set their own cookies when embedded content is displayed by them. For each provider there is a cookie that decides whether the content is displayed and the corresponding cookies are set. Without your consent, the external content cannot be displayed. More detailed information about which cookies are used for which purpose by this provider can be found in the linked privacy policy of the provider.

External providers

Matomo

Statistics

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter via the Carbondioxide Removal website.

ivars-krutainis-jtj9-4eszu4-unsplash-2

ivars-krutainis-jTJ9-4ESzU4-unsplash

CDRterra – BMBF research program on land-based CO2 removal (CDR) methods

cdrterra-logo-2

cdrterra-logo

bmbf_sponsored_by-english

BMBF_sponsored_by-english

twitter-servicefactum-dunkelgrau-2

twitter-servicefactum-dunkelgrau

servicefactum-social_media-linkedin-2

servicefactum-social_media-linkedin

LinkedIn

cdrterra-team-platzhalter

p1080548_jpongratz_453x255-2

Auftaktveranstaltung in Leipzig

For the next three years, researchers in the CDRterra funding line will investigate how carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere. &#8220;To limit the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5 °C, it now seems that we have no choice but to deploy methods that will generate what are termed ‘negative emissions’,” said CDRterra coordinator Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz at the opening. She holds the Chair of Physical Geography and Land Use Systems at the Department of Geography at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU). “Using negative emissions means that we have to find ways to actively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere – through reforestation or technical processes, for example – and then store it permanently”, Pongratz added.
The CDRterra research program is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and coordinated by Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich. Ten collaborative projects involving more than 100 scientists throughout Germany are united under its umbrella. They will uniformly and comprehensively evaluate the various methods for land-based CO₂ removal in terms of their ecological, technical, economic, political and societal feasibility. A particular focus will be on potential conflicts with other sustainability goals, for example over resources such as water and land.
LMU is also leading the the overarching CO₂ Removal Synthesis and Transfer Project CDRSynTra- which will bundle the research results of the projects.
“The strength of our consortia lies in their transdisciplinarity. A broad range of scientific disciplines are engaging in a dialogue with the government and the public at large, creating the scientific basis on which sensible ways to deploy CO₂ removal methods can be designed”, says Pongratz.

Kick-off with Federal Minister Stark-Watzinger

Auftakt mit Bundesministerin Stark-Watzinger