{"id":4187,"date":"2026-10-20T16:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afen.fr\/?p=4187"},"modified":"2026-10-20T17:39:45","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T15:39:45","slug":"the-carbon-elimination-meetings-what-made-the-2026-edition-stand-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afen.fr\/en\/actualite\/les-rencontres-de-lelimination-du-carbone-ce-qui-a-marque-ledition-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The French CDR Days : Highlights of the 2026 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taking Stock of 2026: that was the goal of the third edition of the CDR Days, which brought together nearly 200 stakeholders\u2014including major corporations, government officials, local authorities, and international experts\u2014in Paris on October 13 and 14.

This edition explored the theme of synergies among all aspects of carbon removal: nature and technology, science and economics, voluntary markets and regulation, startups in the sector, and industry.

2026 proved to be a year of new momentum for the sector, with two main areas of focus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. A new political impetus, not only at the national level but also within the European Union and across France\u2019s regions.
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  2. New alliances and partnerships, particularly between major corporations and CDR startups.
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    1. A New Political Momentum, from Paris to Brussels and Across the Regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    At the government level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u00ab We will not achieve carbon neutrality without significant use of negative emissions. <\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Diane Simiu, DGEC (Directorate General for Energy and Climate), gave the discussions a strong boost:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u00ab Net zero is mathematically impossible without relying on carbon sinks. We are implementing national measures, and we need the private sector to make this happen.<\/em> \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    She reiterated that the SNBC3 (low-carbon national strategy) has set a clear course: phasing out coal by 2030, oil by 2040, and fossil fuels by 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u00ab Even so, we need carbon sinks, and the SNBC3 calls for two-thirds natural sinks and one-third technological sinks.<\/em> \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Even if it meets its decarbonization targets, France is still expected to have approximately 60 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050. Natural carbon sinks have become less effective, and the SNBC3 acknowledges the need for increased use of technological carbon sinks to offset this shortfall. National targets have therefore been raised to approximately 20 million metric tons of CO\u2082 removed by technological sinks by 2050, primarily through BECCS and, to a lesser extent, DAC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    At the national level, four major guidelines have been established to encourage projects:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Development of transportation and storage infrastructure, particularly around Dunkirk and the Grand Ouest region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Project Funding. 6 million euros have been allocated to several water collection projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Sustainable use of biomass, with a focus on utilizing available biogenic CO\u2082, particularly for technologies such as BECCS.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. A focus on certification and quality requirements: France has, in particular, developed the first national public standard, the Low-Carbon Label, which will continue to be developed in coordination with the European CRCF.
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      At the European level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


      2026 marked a \u201chistoric turning point,\u201d with the European Commission\u2019s proposal to use the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to finance the purchase of 250 million metric tons of CO\u2082 permanently removed between 2031 and 2040. This potential high demand would focus on DAC and BECCS technologies and is expected to be confirmed in March 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This strong signal marks a turning point: the CDR is moving from the realm of voluntary participation to that of compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The CRCF regulation is being implemented to standardize and certify the high integrity of projects, with the first delegated acts to be adopted in 2026. The EU Buyers\u2019 Club was launched to support voluntary demand, with the first offtakes expected before the end of 2026, while the proposal to integrate the CDR into the ETS is creating new market dynamics.
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      At the regional level<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


      Coline Roux, French Association for Negative Emissions (AFEN)<\/strong>, presented the AFEN report on decarbonization in the regions, which includes an analysis and mapping of the potential of France\u2019s regions for carbon elimination. The growing importance of concrete local projects was confirmed by several project leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Elodie Le Cadre, Veolia,<\/strong> mentioned several local projects related to waste management, including the one in Le Mans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \u00ab In Le Mans, we sensed that local authorities were genuinely supportive of the project and decarbonization and recognized the associated benefits, such as job creation.<\/em> \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      Mallorie Navarre, T\u00e9r\u00e9ga, <\/strong>presented the CCS and BioCCS projects developed around the regional transport and storage of CO\u2082. The issue of CO\u2082 sequestration in geological formations is essential and strategic. There is currently no geological storage in France, which results in long supply chains involving the transport of liquefied CO\u2082 to sites abroad, particularly in the North Sea. This initiative by T\u00e9r\u00e9ga is therefore particularly significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For T\u00e9r\u00e9ga, the success of a project depends first and foremost on early dialogue with all local stakeholders: ADEME, the regional government, mayors, nature parks, and local industries. This dialogue is followed by an administrative approval process and a public consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \u00ab Local acceptance of the project and an understanding of its co-benefits are essential. <\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      In Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes, St\u00e9phanie (Schmutz) Doat<\/strong>, Elodica SCIC<\/strong> , presented an initiative by entrepreneurs organized as a nonprofit cooperative to raise awareness and support businesses in sustainable development. Elodica is supporting an initial project to develop hemp and integrate it into concrete, and has developed a training program on sustainable development for small businesses in the region. What still holds many companies back is primarily the perceived risk of greenwashing, a lack of time to explore the subject, and the perception that action is not required until 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This trend toward local-scale development is confirmed by the City CDR Initiative, which works to engage urban communities in CDR. The organization is already collaborating with Helsinki, Oslo, Tokyo, and San Francisco\u2014and discussions are underway to expand this initiative to France. Dylan Marks, City CDR Initiative<\/strong>, points out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      \u00ab Public demand is a key driver. For example, demand for materials that incorporate carbon, such as wood, concrete, etc.<\/em> \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

      For France, the recommendation is threefold: integrate CDR into urban strategies, promote public procurement, and consider territorial sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


      How can public authorities further accelerate the growth of CDR at the national and European levels?
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      A panel of industry stakeholders has identified several particularly effective mechanisms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n