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To mitigate the dangerous impacts of climate change, anthropogenic CO2 emissions must be reduced drastically. In this context, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) has been increasingly considered as an option. As a part of the energy and climate change package, the EU has for the first time provided a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of CCS at the national level. CCS can also be implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, which allows industrial countries to fulfil part of their emission reduction targets in developing countries. This paper explores this option, illustrating how elements of the legal framework proposed for CDM projects in the EU could be utilised, assuming CCS is approved for the CDM. Demonstration of large-scale feasibility and long-term security of storage is still lacking, however. The German Advisory Council on Environment therefore calls for a new law addressing research instead of comprehensive regulation of commercial use under the CCS directive of the EU. To nonetheless provide developing countries with access to CCS technology, promotion as part of technology transfer agreements is a possible alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the EU Directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide came into force, Germany found itself under pressure to develop a legal framework for the exploration and operation of CO2-storage sites. But the German regulatory approach stands against fierce opposition from the public - in particular at specific CO2-storage site regions, namely in Brandenburg and Schleswig- Holstein. This article takes a closer look on the German situation, analyzing the impact factors of the lack of public accpetance and discussing options to overcome an upcoming major societal conflict. First, we review the national and international state of the art of CCS public acceptance research. Second, explanations are given for better understanding the nature of the local opposition in Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein. In the third part we draw conclusions elaborating on key aspects relevant for a promising handling of the CCS public acceptance issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]