DACMA signed the DAC coalition position paper

Position paper about integration of carbon dioxide removals (CDR) into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS)

The DAC Coalition is a nonprofit organization founded in 2022 with meanwhile over 110 companies, organizations, and institutions working to advance and accelerate the deployment of direct air capture technologies.

The coalition supports high-quality, measurable, verifiable, and permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR) into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to help scale the industry and meet net zero goals. A well-designed integration could create a stable, long-term market for permanent CDR.

However, relying solely on ETS integration without additional support will not be enough to ensure widespread deployment and use.

According to the position paper, there are the following challenges to integration:

„These challenges include extended sale cycles due to limited familiarity with the product, the nascent state of CDR credit transactions, lack of market liquidity, evolving science around permanent removals pathways, and dependency on climate policy to motivate purchases.“

Accordingly, the position paper sets out all the important key features that should be ensured when integrating carbon dioxide removals (CDR) into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) such as:

• Only removals that isolate CO2 from the atmosphere on the timescale of the lifetime of CO2 emissions should be eligible for integration in order to maintain the integrity of the ETS.
• All tonnes of CO2 removed are measurable and verifiable
• Define a CDR sub-mandate that increases over time
• Maintain the gross cap on emissions

Read about all key features and the full position paper HERE:

Trompoukis, C. et al., 2025, The role of Direct Air Capture technologies in the EU’s decarbonisation effort

An analysis of the potential, cost-effectiveness, risks, investment needs as well as technological, economic, administrative and legal prerequisites and requirements

Abstract

„This study analyses the development, costs, future potential, and role of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and subsequent storage (DACCS) technologies in Europe’s decarbonisation strategy. While current costs are high and uncertain, DAC and DACCS are expected to become more economically viable through technological improvements and scaling. Given the environmental trade-offs of various CO₂ removal methods under development, including DACCS, a diverse portfolio will be needed. Our study shows that DAC and DACCS can play a key enabling role in achieving the EU’s net- zero targets — provided that clear policies, financial incentives, streamlined regulation, and sustained investment in R&D are in place, alongside access to affordable renewable energy, proximityCO₂ storage sites, skilled labour, and shared infrastructure.“

(…)

„CO2 removals are essential to supplement drastic emission reductions in order to reach the EU’s climate change mitigation targets and global goals to stabilise climate warming at 1.5-2 °C degrees. However, emission reductions need to be prioritised: if the global emission budget is exceeded initially, and removals are applied afterwards, a decline in the temperature cannot be guaranteed.

CO2 removals can be achieved through various methods, ranging from nature-based (e.g. afforestation and reforestation) to engineered solutions. (…) Among these, DACCS and Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) are considered as the most promising methods for delivering large-scale, permanent CO2 removals. Both BECCS and DACCS will likely be needed to reach sufficiently large volumes of permanent CO2 removals in Europe. If tight constraints are set on the availability of sustainable biomass for BECCS, the demand for DACCS will likely increase.“

Authors

Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health

Directorate-General for Economy, Transformation and Industry

Authors: Christos TROMPOUKIS, Kati KOPONEN, Jere ELFVING,

Cyril BAJAMUNDI, Alexander DELIUKOV, Andromachi KILA, Jan BORMANS

PE 772.474 – June 2025

[READ THE FULL STUDY HERE]

Negative Emissions Technologies (NETs): Comparing Different CO₂ Removal Strategies

A Breakdown of DAC vs. BECCS vs. Ocean-based CO₂ Removal

Direct Air Capture (DAC)

DAC technology directly removes CO₂ from the atmosphere, providing an engineered solution to mitigate climate change [1]. When paired with geological carbon sequestration, this process is known as Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). The DAC.SI project in Brazil represents South America’s first foray into this technology, with three units at varying technological readiness levels:

• The DAC Test Bench (operational since September 2023)
• The DAC 15TA (operational since April 2024) with a 15 tons/year removal capacity
• The DAC 300TA plant (operational since November 2024) with a 300 tons/year capacity [1]

Currently, there are 27 operational DAC plants worldwide capturing nearly 0.01 Mt CO₂ per year, with plans for approximately 130 additional facilities in various stages of development [3].

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)

BECCS combines biomass energy production with carbon capture technology. Unlike DAC, which captures CO₂ directly from the air, BECCS captures emissions from biomass combustion. Plants naturally absorb CO₂ during growth, and when this biomass is used for energy, the resulting emissions are captured and stored underground [4].

Ocean-based CO₂ Removal

Ocean-based approaches include ocean alkalinization, seaweed cultivation, and artificial upwelling. These methods leverage the ocean’s natural carbon absorption capabilities but face challenges related to ecosystem impacts and verification of carbon sequestration [5].

Evaluating the Energy Requirements and Environmental Impact of Different NETs

Energy Efficiency

The DAC.SI project reports that their DAC 300TA system requires approximately 1,289 kWh per ton of CO₂ captured, with 398 kWh for electrical components and 891 kWh for thermal energy [1]. These are targets, set at the start of the project, that are not being met today.
This presents opportunities for integration with waste heat sources in industrial areas.
BECCS, by comparison, can potentially generate net energy while capturing carbon, though actual performance depends heavily on biomass source, transportation, and processing efficiency [6].

Water Usage

Water consumption is another critical factor. The DAC 300TA system consumes approximately 2 tons of water per ton of CO₂ captured [1]. Other NETs vary significantly in their water requirements, with some BECCS implementations requiring substantial water inputs for biomass production [7].

Land Requirements

DAC systems have relatively small physical footprints compared to BECCS, which requires substantial land for biomass cultivation. Ocean-based methods have minimal land requirements but raise other environmental considerations [8].

How NETs Can Complement Other Decarbonization Efforts Like Emissions Reduction

Addressing Different Emission Sources

NETs are particularly valuable for addressing historical CO₂ production and Scope 3 emissions that are difficult to eliminate directly [1]. They complement traditional emission reduction strategies like renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency improvements, and electrification.

Regional Implementation Strategies

As the DAC.SI project demonstrates, NETs can be tailored to regional conditions. Brazil’s vast clean energy resources, geological potential for underground CO₂ storage (such as mineral carbonation in basaltic rocks), and unique environmental conditions make it particularly well-suited for certain NET approaches [1].

Integration with Energy Systems

The DAC.SI project explores opportunities to reduce energy demand by sharing infrastructure and utilizing waste heat, further enhancing DAC’s decarbonization potential [1]. This approach of system integration represents how NETs can be incorporated into existing energy and industrial infrastructures.

The Future of NETs in Global Climate Strategy

The development of NETs, particularly in regions like Brazil, is essential for fostering a comprehensive and equitable global response to climate change. Currently, CDR policy initiatives are predominantly centered in developed nations [9], but expanding these technologies to the Global South is crucial given increasing population growth, rising CO₂ emissions, and the expanding economic influence of these regions.

Brazil’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) establishes goals to reduce net GHG emissions by 48.4% by 2025 and 53.1% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, with a commitment to achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 [1]. NETs will play a critical role in meeting these ambitious targets.

Download the Complete DACMA Whitepaper Today

Want to dive deeper into the technical details of Brazil’s pioneering Direct Air Capture initiatives? Download the comprehensive whitepaper about our project “Leading the way: Brazil’s pioneering steps toward Direct Air Capture (DAC) deployment in South America” to access:

• Detailed technical specifications of the DAC Test Bench, DAC 15TA, and DAC 300TA systems
• Complete performance metrics and experimental results
• In-depth analysis of implementation challenges and solutions
• Strategic roadmap for scaling DAC technology in the Global South

[DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER NOW] ← Your detailed guide to the future of carbon removal technologies

References:

[1] Dalla Vecchia, F., et al. (2024). Leading the way: Brazil’s pioneering steps toward Direct Air Capture (DAC) deployment in South America. 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, GHGT-17.

[2] IPCC. (2023). Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

[3] International Energy Agency (IEA). (2023). Direct Air Capture. www.iea.org/reports/direct-air-capture.

[4] Fajardy, M., & Mac Dowell, N. (2017). Can BECCS deliver sustainable and resource efficient negative emissions? Energy & Environmental Science, 10(6), 1389-1426.

[5] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2022). A Research Strategy for Ocean-based Carbon Dioxide Removal and Sequestration. The National Academies Press.

[6] Smith, P., et al. (2016). Biophysical and economic limits to negative CO₂ emissions. Nature Climate Change, 6(1), 42-50.

[7] Fuss, S., et al. (2018). Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects. Environmental Research Letters, 13(6), 063002.

[8] Minx, J.C., et al. (2018). Negative emissions—Part 1: Research landscape and synthesis. Environmental Research Letters, 13(6), 063001.

[9] Sovacool, B.K. (2023). Expanding carbon removal to the Global South: Thematic concerns on systems, justice, and climate governance. Energy and Climate Change, 4, 100103.