Carbon dioxide removal takes centre stage for a week at the European Parliament

Last week, policymakers, experts, and industry leaders from the CDR ecosystem gathered at the European Parliament to shine a spotlight on the role of permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in achieving the EU’s climate and competitiveness goals.

Together with our partners at the Negative Emissions Platform, and with the support of our host MEP Peter Liese (EPP, DE), Carbon Gap organised an exhibition showcasing examples of permanent CDR across Europe and examining the benefits and challenges of scaling them.

To deepen understanding ahead of the next wave of climate legislation, we also hosted a closed-door policy workshop. Led by MEP Peter Liese and co-hosted by MEPs Ana Vasconcelos (Renew, PT) and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (S&D, FR), the workshop brought together policymakers from the European Parliament with over 20 companies actively removing CO₂ across the EU.

Two key observations stood out:

First, there was broad agreement on the need to weave carbon removals more firmly into climate and industrial policy, with the next five years seen as make-or-break.

Second, policymakers showed a sharper grasp of CDR’s potential and challenges — and a growing willingness to reflect this in upcoming legislation.

As Rodica Avornic, Policy Director at Carbon Gap, put it:

“There’s no time to lose — Europe is entering a crucial period where key legislation will shape the future of carbon removal. With drafting set to begin soon, we aimed to make sure that EU policymakers have a clear understanding of what’s at stake and what policies are needed for carbon removals to deliver meaningful climate benefits.”

Reflecting on the role of permanent removals, Elisabeth Harding, Policy Manager at the Negative Emissions Platform, added:

“As momentum for CDR grows, making sure that policymakers are equipped to shape a strong European CDR industry, currently in its nascency, has never been more important. A well-designed policy framework must not only support a diverse portfolio of permanent CDR solutions but also provide the long-term certainty needed for the industry to scale and thrive.”

Discussions opened with a clear message: emissions reductions must remain the priority, but they won’t be enough on their own. With global temperatures on track to overshoot critical thresholds, CDR must become a serious part of the equation. Speakers underscored the urgency of investing in removals now, as delayed action could undermine the achievement of climate goals.

The momentum carried into the evening reception, where attendees explored the exhibition of permanent CDR solutions.

Opening the reception, Peter Liese called for CDR to be rapidly integrated into compliance systems like the EU Emissions Trading System, due for review in 2026. Much like renewables, he argued, CDR can become more affordable if the right incentives and policy frameworks are in place to engage the private sector.

Encouragingly, several methods are approaching maturity. But major policy gaps remain. The EU must act now to ensure quality, durability, and environmental integrity — and prepare the ground for large-scale deployment. As Mette Quinn, Deputy Director for International Carbon Markets at DG CLIMA, made clear, the Commission is committed to building frameworks that ensure removals genuinely complement emissions cuts. At the same time, dedicated funding streams are needed to help permanent CDR reach the scale and reliability required. Make sure to check out our recent report on CDR funding opportunities for more.

The event closed with strong calls for continued awareness and political support. Host Peter Liese urged all attendees — among whom were officials from the Commission, Parliament, and member states — to “bring carbon removals to the agenda and into the market.”

This mandate will be decisive. With just 25 years left to reach net-zero, Europe must develop a policy mix that delivers meaningful volumes of carbon removals. CDR will be essential to balance out residual emissions and limit the worst impacts of climate change.

Three priorities must guide this work in the current legislative mandate:

• Define a clear development path with separate targets: The revision of the European Climate Law is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to embed carbon removal into the heart of EU climate governance. Binding, quantifiable sub-targets for permanent and land-based removals will clarify how much is needed — and by when — sending a strong signal that the EU is serious about building a credible CDR sector alongside deep emissions cuts.
• Direct CDR funding where it’s needed: Like renewables in their early days, removals need public investment to grow. EU and national support for R&D, demonstration projects, and deployment—including purchasing mechanisms—will be vital to bring down costs, build capacity, and scale across the continent.
• Integrate removals into a compliance regime: Whether through the EU ETS or a dedicated Removals Trading System, bringing CDR into a compliance framework can unlock sustained demand. But integrity must come first. Strong environmental guardrails are non-negotiable: removals must be real, durable, and used only once emissions reductions have been maximised.

“Accelerating a competitive green transition is key to reaching Europe’s climate and competitiveness goals,” said Ana Vasconcelos, reflecting on the event. “Let us surpass pointless false dichotomies such as choosing between the economy and the environment and focus on prioritising innovation.”

The next five years will determine whether CDR scales up responsibly or stalls in pilot mode. This past week showed that Parliament is ready to engage, ask tough questions, and help steer a credible path forward. That momentum must now carry beyond Brussels.

Member states have an important role to play. Every country in the EU has CDR potential – be it technological, land-based, or a combination of both. National strategies, clear regulations, and funding mechanisms will be essential to turn that potential into real climate action.

Anna Costova, Senior Policy Analyst at Carbon Gap