Totschnig wants to establish CO2 storage in Austria

"The important thing is to clear the way so that it is even possible to establish the technology here," explained Climate and Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) to the APA. However, such technologies require significant investments. Totschnig therefore plans a thorough examination to determine if and where the technology can be sensibly applied in Austria.

Massive Investments Needed for CO2 Storage in Austria

The black-red-pink federal government has also stated in the government program that it wants to lift the existing ban on CO2 storage. The new coalition is thus adhering to the direction taken by the previous government of ÖVP and Greens. The safety and environmental standards in the field of CO2 capture and storage have significantly developed since the ban was imposed in 2011, said Totschnig. He therefore wants to lift the ban first. In what form CO2 storage can be sensibly used in this country must be examined in a subsequent step.

Because in addition to lifting the ban, massive investments are also necessary. The establishment of new infrastructure for the capture, storage, use, or transport of CO2 is technically and organizationally challenging and requires high initial investments. It is still uncertain whether there will be the necessary demand for the technology in the future, as indicated by the "Carbon Management Strategy" adopted by the black-green government in the summer of 2024 in the Council of Ministers. The Agriculture Minister therefore wants to take a close look at what costs will arise and how the technology is developing in other countries. "In the end, it must also be affordable and it must contribute to securing the economic location and achieving climate goals," said Totschnig.

To combat global warming, the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), which traps heat in the atmosphere, must be drastically reduced. In some energy-intensive industries, such as steel, cement, or paper production, a reduction in emissions is only partially possible. To keep such unavoidable greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, some countries are already relying on CO2 storage. The carbon dioxide is collected, liquefied, and transported to the storage site via pipelines or trucks. It is then pumped into geological structures, such as depleted gas fields, and stored there.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.