Hamburg Delegation Seeks CO2 Storage Solutions in Copenhagen
Hamburg, April 14, 2026 – Environment Senator Katharina Fegebank (Greens) is currently in Copenhagen with a delegation from Hamburg’s business and scientific communities to learn about CO2 storage processes. The visit, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, focuses on understanding technologies that can capture or “separate” CO2, allowing for its subsequent transport and storage, either under the North Sea or in the ground.
The Challenge of CO2 Emissions in Hamburg
In 2023, Hamburg produced nearly 12 million tons of CO2. While the city aims to reduce this figure annually, the complete avoidance of greenhouse gases is not feasible. Consequently, the red-green Senate is exploring technologies for CO2 capture and storage. This approach became legally permissible nationwide at the end of 2025.
Senator Fegebank emphasized the necessity of these procedures for Hamburg to achieve climate neutrality. She stated the importance of learning from “best-practice examples” already implemented in Copenhagen, such as those at a waste incineration plant and several combined heat and power plants.
Controversy Surrounding Underground CO2 Storage
Despite the potential benefits, underground carbon dioxide storage remains a contentious issue. The Left Party faction has described it as a “risk technology.” The CDU faction has questioned the practicality of this method of CO2 disposal in Hamburg.
The delegation’s visit aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these technologies and their potential application in Hamburg, addressing both the environmental imperative and the public debate surrounding such innovations.
Among the projects that Environment Senator Katharina Fegebank (Greens) plans to visit on Monday and Tuesday, accompanied by representatives from Hamburg’s economy and science, are facilities where such processes are already operational. These include a Copenhagen waste incineration plant and several heating power plants.
Senator Fegebank stressed in advance that without these procedures, the city could not become climate-neutral. She believes it is crucial to learn from existing best practices.
However, underground carbon dioxide storage is controversial. The Left Party faction describes it as a “risk technology.” The CDU faction questions whether this type of CO2 disposal is even practicable in Hamburg.
The visit underscores Hamburg’s commitment to exploring all viable options for climate protection and achieving its ambitious climate neutrality goals, while also acknowledging the ongoing discussions and concerns regarding these advanced environmental technologies.
