The Austrian federal government introduced the Federal Act on the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide for review on September 22, 2026. This move aims to lift a 2011 ban on CO2 storage, allowing industrial emissions to be filtered, compressed, and stored.
The plan targets storing three million tons of CO2 annually by 2029, rising to seven million by 2034. It supports industries like steel and cement, including Voestalpine, which recently received new furnace components to produce CO2-reduced steel by 2027.
Implementing Carbon Capture and Storage is vital for protecting 600,000 jobs in Austria's industrial sectors. By adopting CCS, Austria joins nations like Norway and Denmark in utilizing underground sites to meet strict IPCC environmental safety standards.