Assessing the potential for Negative Emission Technologies in Austria

Abstract

Negative Emission Technologies (NET) are considered critical for achieving the goal of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C or well below 2°C. NETs include both nature-based solutions and technological solutions, all coming with different technical, economic and environmental trade-offs to consider. Despite their importance and the urgent need for drastic climate action, little research has been conducted on a national level to determine the potential of these technologies. This is also the case for Austria. Consequently, this thesis aimed to fill this research gap by assessing the techno-economic and implementation potential for Afforestation & Reforestation/Forest Management, Biochar, Bioenergy Carbon Capture & Storage, Building with Biomass, Direct Air Carbon Capture & Storage and Soil Carbon Sequestration. In addition, feedstock competition and trade-offs were assessed. The results show the technical potential for negative emissions in Austria amounts to 39 Mt CO2 for 2050 of which 30 Mt CO2 can be realised costeffectively at a carbon price of 100€ per tonne CO2. The implementation potential amounts to 22 Mt CO2 and 29 Mt CO2 for 2030 and 2050, respectively. These results can be used as a basis for further research aimed at quantifying the indirect effects resulting from the implementation each NET. Furthermore, the potentials can assist policymakers in their decision on which NET portfolio to implement in Austria.