Towards net zero CO2 emissions without relying on massive carbon dioxide removal

Abstract

Current emission scenarios that allow keeping the global temperature increase below 2 °C or even 1.5 °C—as foreseen by the Paris Agreement—are based on very optimistic assumptions, including enormous volumes of carbon dioxide removal (CDR). A closer look at the globally most important emission sectors—power, transport and industry—shows manifold barriers for very ambitious mitigation. A new policy guideline called “Net Zero CO2 Emissions without relying on massive CDR” and promotion of technological research, in addition to economic incentives and other policy measures, would help to overcome the often simplistic demands for positive modelling results and refocus climate policy on tackling the enormous barriers in key emitting sectors. Such an approach is more aligned with the Paris Agreement’s bottom-up logic and therefore more appropriate to make the transformational project of global decarbonization a success.