DAC takes centre stage in EU carbon strategy

Carbon removal technology instrumental in meeting 2040 and 2050 emissions targets, European Commission says

The European Commission has called for a massive scale up of direct air capture (DAC) technology post-2030, as a key element of the EU’s strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. DAC will be “instrumental” in meeting a newly proposed target to cut EU CO₂ emissions by 90% by 2040, versus 1990 levels, en route to net zero by 2050, the Commission stated in a strategy paper titled Towards an ambitious Industrial Carbon Management for the EU. Specific targets for carbon removals should be considered in line with the 2040 target, the Commission said. DAC could deliver 25% of the annual CO₂ capture requirement in 2040, rising to about 40% in 2050, it added. That would equate to DAC capture ra