More than 200 public, private and scientific players gathered in Paris on October 14 and 15, 2025 for the second edition of the CDR France Days (Rencontres de l'Elimination du Carbone), organized by theAFEN.
"Carbon removal is the essential building block of a credible net zero, in addition to a rapid and massive reduction in emissions." Julie Gosalvez, President of AFEN
Two days of exchanges and case studies: France has real assets to transform CDR into an industrial sector, with tangible economic opportunities. In France, 130,000 jobs could be created by 2050 thanks to the development of the European CDR market, which could reach €220 billion per year (BCG, AFEN).
To turn potential into industrial reality, we need to build the necessary infrastructure, frameworks and confidence.
A challenging environment, but positive signs
Despite an international context marked by declining political support in the United States and a degree of skepticism in France, regulatory and industrial signals are gathering pace. The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) was adopted by the European Parliament in 2024, and discussions are underway on the gradual integration of carbon removal into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). In Europe, the Nordic countries and Germany are leading the way:
- Sweden: SEK 36 bn (~€3 bn) approved by the Commission for BECCS auctions; first winner, Stockholm Exergi, > SEK 20 bn support over 15 years.
- Denmark: DKK 28.3 billion CCS fund (2024 consultation) managed by the Danish Energy Agency.
- Germany: industrial program ~€6 bn including CCS; CDR budget €100 bn from 2026, national strategy in validation.
- Norway: Northern Lights project, complete offshore transport and storage infrastructure (~1.5 Mt CO₂/year phase 1, up to 5 Mt in 2028).
- Iceland : DACCS and mineralization with Climeworks and Carbfix, powered by 100 % carbon-free energy
- United Kingdom: Integration of Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) technologies into its own Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). Legislation is expected by the end of 2028, for operational implementation in 2029.
In France, concrete projects and a strategy to be structured
TheFrench ecosystem of carbon dioxide removal is rooted in reality. Bloomineral transforms CO₂ into rock through biomineralization. Yama develops France's first Direct Air Capture (DAC) pilot. NetZero industrializes biochar production. ClimeFi structure of international carbon transactions between countries, implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. These examples illustrate a growing French ecosystem, at the crossroads of science, industry and territories.
A clear signal from the State, in the form of a low-carbon strategy incorporating CDR, is now expected to ensure visibility, consistency and continuity.
Six key lessons from Rencontres 2025
1. Reducing emissions remains the priority, and elimination is essential
The scientific consensus is clear: achieving net zero requires both a rapid and drastic reduction in emissions and the long-term elimination of carbon already in the atmosphere.
Scientists invited by AFEN , Pierre Friedlingstein (CNRS, University of Exeter) and Jean Pierre Gattuso (CNRS), recalled the essential facts:
- The carbon budget compatible with 1.5°C is estimated at 265 gigatonnes (i.e. six years of current emissions - and around 25 years for a 2°C trajectory).
- The COVID-19-related drop of nearly 2 gigatons of CO₂ had no measurable effect on atmospheric concentration - a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge.
- According to the IPCC, we'll need to remove nearly 10 gigatons of CO₂ per year by 2050 to achieve a credible net zero.
"If we stopped all emissions today, the climate would stabilize. But since that's not the case, we have to act on both levers at once: reduce and eliminate." - Pierre Friedlingstein, University of Exeter and CNRS
2. Financing innovation - from the lab to the field
European funding is still focused almost exclusively on decarbonizing existing processes.
The report Draghi estimates the investment needed in European cleantech at 800 billion euros, and identifies structural challenges such as energy competitiveness, technological sovereignty and demographics.
"For every euro invested in innovation, twelve are invested in improving what already exists. France is not short of money, the level of savings is very high, but we need to channel these savings, derisking breakthrough industrial projects and stimulating demand." Célia Agostini , Cleantech for France
Funding dedicated to CDR remains marginal, particularly for emerging solutions such as ocean capture (mCDR) or alkalinization (OAE). The European Union has allocated around 657 million euros to directly support carbon removal methods through existing programs such as Horizon Europe (including the European Innovation Council - EIC), the LIFE program or the Innovation Fund. This amount represents only around 0.1 % of the total planned EU climate action budget for 2021-2027. (Source: Carbon Gap)
Almost all public support is still targeted at the industrial CCUS. A clear signal from the State, through dedicated and stable budget lines, would be decisive in accelerating the transition from research to industry.
Beyond the voluntary market, the creation of structural demand - via public mandates or carbon quotas - will be essential to guarantee investor visibility.
Carbon Gap calls for protected funding of 2.6 billion euros over the next period, and is already identifying European CDR projects.
3. Infrastructure to be built
Geological storage is a key link in CDR's future. The Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) estimates that France has a storage potential of ~4.8 gigatonnes (BRGM, EVASTOCO2). The development of logistics chains for biomass, low-carbon energy and CO₂ transport will be a central pillar in the deployment of these storage capacities.
While offshore storage offers advantages in terms of ease of implementation, onshore storage can generate significant local value for local areas, industries and farmers.
"Biogenic CO₂ from territories can create local value and strengthen industrial resilience." - Mallorie Navarre, Téréga
To make these projects a reality, the involvement of local communities is essential. Denmark illustrates this approach: the Danish Energy Agency systematically held dialogues with municipalities and residents before awarding its first projects. onshore exploration licenses in June 2024, and organizes public consultations as early as the environmental assessment phases. This proactive approach to territorial involvement has enabled the country to move forward rapidly while maintaining social acceptability.
"Public acceptance of CDR will be critical. The national low-carbon strategy, expected in the next few months, will mark an important milestone in France: for the first time, it will make reference to the role of negative emissions." Frédéric Branger, Directorate General for Energy and Climate
4. Confidence: a prerequisite for scaling up
The credibility of the carbon market remains fragile, but reference frameworks are becoming more structured. Faced with the need for high integrity in carbon credits, several standardization initiatives are emerging to reinforce the transparency and credibility of the voluntary market, from the quality label for carbon credits of ICVCM (Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market), the scoring of the CCQI (Carbon Credit Quality Initiative), launched in May 2022, and the strengthening of the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) concerning CDR credits.
Together, these bricks reduce integrity risk for buyers.
Companies attending the sessions - EDF, Engie, Schneider Electric, Stripe, ClimeFi - call for more transparent dialogue and common criteria to guarantee credit quality and avoid the pitfall of greenwashing.
Visit BCG and Patch report , "Guidelines for setting a net zero-aligned internal carbon price".explains how the internal price of carbon can become a key lever of credibility. By giving a financial value to the CO₂ emitted, it transforms climate commitments into concrete investment decisions.
As Lizzy Coad (BCG) and Ben Field (Patch), this tool helps companies "move from a logic of compensation to a logic of action". Some, like Schneider Electric, are already reinvesting these internal budgets in concrete CDR projects through the purchase of credits.
"The 2030 targets are fast approaching. We need to secure credible disposal volumes now, based on robust standards." Léo Barruol, Schneider Electric
5. A European dynamic in progress, an essential territorial anchoring
Germany, Finland and Sweden are already deploying their national CDR strategies, combining biochar, BECCS and biogenic capture.
France, for its part, is preparing its first low-carbon strategy integrating negative emissions, supported by BPI France and a solid industrial fabric - Pronoe, winner of the i-Lab France 2030 competition for its work on ocean alkalinization, is a case in point.
This dynamic has found a political echo: in the Senate, Vanina Paoli-Gagin, a member of the Finance Committee, advocates a territorial approach to decarbonization.
"The more decarbonized our economy, the more high value-added it will be." Vanina Paoli-Gagin, French Senate
The senator gave several examples of concrete projects who embody this approach in the Grand Est region:
- the B4C which supports agricultural cooperatives in their low-carbon transition;
- a CDR demonstrator capturing biogenic CO₂ from the wood-straw chain, valorized in concrete with Carborok ;
- the cluster Biogaz Valleya pioneer in biomethanization;
- Woodooa low-carbon wood deeptech from Troyes, signed a €32 million contract with Bouygues Construction in 2025 for 10,000 m³ of materials, equivalent to 20,000 m³ of reinforced concrete.
"France has everything it needs to succeed - a scientific culture, a dense industrial fabric and regions that are driving forces. What we need now is a clear, shared trajectory." Karima Benelhadj, Bpifrance
6. A growing ecosystem
25 % from CAC 40 companies were represented at the CDR France Days, alongside numerous SMEs and regional players. Proof that CDR is no longer a concept, but a rapidly structuring economic and scientific dynamic.
"What impressed me most was the diversity and strength of the ecosystem: scientists, innovators, major groups and SMEs united by the same ambition. CDR is becoming an economic and climate opportunity for France." Julie Gosalvez, AFEN
This diversity is the strength of the movement, whose aim is to accelerate the deployment of carbon elimination in France and Europe.
"AFEN is a coalition of players committed to structuring the industry, taking a long-term view of public policy and promoting those who are making concrete progress on climate action." Karim Rahmani, AFEN
Among this coalition of players, investors were present. AFEN was pleased to host the French leg of Invest In CDR, in partnership with the Negative Emissions Platform and with the participation of France Invest. Presentations by innovative start-ups, engaged financial players and detailed conversations about CDR opportunities enlivened a community of over 100 participants.
In conclusion
As the scientists invited to the CDR France Days by AFEN pointed out, now is not the time to debate the need to eliminate carbon, but to make its deployment a reality.
In a complex context, the momentum is real. In France, new players are getting involved in the sector, as are new buyers like Schneider Electric. The French ecosystem is mobilizing with a tangible collective energy, illustrated by the Rencontres 2025.
AFEN President Julie Gosalvez concluded the meetings by defining the winning formula for the sector: A collaborative ecosystem + stable, transparent public policies that free up private investment + concrete demonstration projects.
The climate challenge is akin to a global relay race. Many runners have already set off: renewable energies, efficiency, electrification, natural solutions
The CDR team takes its turn. The baton that the industry players are passing on to each other is momentum, confidence and the opportunity to act. Always bearing in mind the fundamental challenges of this race, which is not a sprint, but an intergenerational marathon.
