Answer given by Executive Vice-President Timmermans on behalf of the European Commission

28.4.2021

The Commission has proposed to increase EU climate ambition to at least 55% net greenhouse gas emissions reductions by 2030 compared to 1990 in order to achieve a more balanced path towards climate neutrality by 2050. The increased climate target will be driven by increased action in a number of domains, with Member States to decide what are their best options to develop a national energy system compatible with these objectives.

This includes actions to reduce emissions from waste and its uses, including in the production of energy. In particular, the combustion of biogenic waste is accounted for as not adding to net CO₂ emissions. Combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS), the use of such waste to produce electricity or heat can indeed generate net carbon removals.

While no significant deployment of CCS is projected until 2030 at EU level, the Commission estimates that this technology has a role to play towards reaching climate neutrality by 2050, particularly in the sectors with difficult-to-abate emissions. The Commission supports the development of CCS.

The EU’s Horizon 2020 programme provided close to EUR 240 million for carbon capture, use and storage projects. Horizon Europe will continue supporting related research and innovation projects. The Innovation Fund under the EU Emissions Trading System can also provide support for innovative CCS projects.