In a Nutshell
- The climate neutrality models of Czechia’s NECP also depend on BECCS.
- Geological storage of more than 1MtCO2 is prohibited in the Czech Republic.
- Alongside CCS research and development projects, a consortium of Czech universities is researching the potential of BECCS.
- The revision of the Czech Climate Protection Policy should come to a close in 2025/early 2026.
Role for carbon removal in national climate policy
The Czech Republic has committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. Following the revision of the EU Climate Law, it must reach a 26% emissions reductions target by 2030 compared to 2005 levels in sectors not covered by the EU Emission Trading System.
The Czech final National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) states that there would be 6.3MtCO2 of residual emissions in 2050. The land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector’s contribution still needs to be refined in the model used. However, the NECP states that the LULUCF sector is a net emitter – 15MtCO2e in 2021 – and the Czech Republic will have significant difficulties in reducing the sector’s emissions to zero because of invasive species like bark beetles. There are, however, mentions of developing a new national forestry programme to create more resilient forest ecosystems, as well as to increase the use of wood as a renewable raw material. The current version of the Climate Protection Policy would set a 2030 target of 1.2 Mt CO2 removed. The national implementation of the CAP and the National Forest Policy are also mentioned in the NECP for setting measures to improve carbon sequestration and restoration of forests, grasslands, and agricultural soils.
Relevant legal frameworks
The Act on the Storage of Carbon Dioxide into Natural Rock Structures and Amending Certain Acts is the centrepiece of Czech CO2 storage legal framework. It translates the EU CCS Directive into Czech law. Until 1 January 2020, this act prohibited the commercial geological storage of CO2. Even if this restriction is no longer the case, this act still limits commercial CO2 storage to 1MtCO2/year for each storage site. Furthermore, it may create obstacles for transboundary CO2 storage since such storage is prohibited where leakage of CO2 could occur.
The Czech Republic is not a party to either the London Convention or the London Protocol, which means it would need to adopt at least the same standards set by the Protocol and sign bilateral agreements with receiving countries if it were to export its CO2 for under-seabed geological storage.
Support for R&D and Innovation
The National R & D & I Policy of the Czech Republic 2016-2020 provided very high-level guidelines for the country’s overall R&D and innovation strategy. Its vision is to make Czechia a country with high living standards and strong innovation capabilities. The Research Development and Innovation Strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture 2023-2032 outlines key strategic R&D and innovation areas for the country. These include a ramp-up of the bioeconomy (including the use of biological waste and bio-materials in buildings), smart agriculture and smart forestry, and carbon farming practices. Biodiversity, soils and forests are important focus areas throughout the strategy.
On the horizon
A revision of the Climate Protection Policy of Czechia was planned for 2023 but has yet to be published.
The National Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change for the period 2026-2030 is still in the works.