According to the draft legislation, test sites in the form of demonstration plants must first be established before the government decides in 2017 whether CCS should be used as a long-term environmental solution.

“Coal-to-power plants will only have a future if they become less dangerous for the climate. CCS is offering a perspective for this,” said environment minister Sigmar Gabriel in a statement.

The German Energy and Water Association, amongst other groups, supported the law as it enables the planning and implementation of new CCS projects.

Some environmental groups, however, point out that the draft legislation is a political compromise, whereby it looks to regulate CCS in demonstration plants but does not offer a more comprehensive legislative framework for a broader deployment of CCS throughout the country.

The draft law must now be considered by Germany’s cabinet and must win parliamentary approval.