Overview
- Parliament passed two government bills enabling permanent CO2 storage under the seabed in Germany’s exclusive economic zone, with exclusions for designated protected areas.
- Lawmakers also endorsed provisions allowing CO2 export by sea under revised Article 6 of the London Protocol, contingent on agreements and conditions with receiving states.
- Industry groups, including the building materials association BBS, welcomed the decisions as vital for developing CO2 infrastructure, especially for sectors like cement.
- Environmental groups and opposition parties criticized the move, warning of risks to marine ecosystems and accusing the government of turning the seas into a dumping ground.
- The Bundesrat backed the overall goal but pressed for stronger fisheries safeguards and compensation rules, proposals the federal government has rejected in its response; exports are expected to target countries such as Norway where storage is already operating.