Clearing the air: Public sentiment on DACCS in Germany

[Geoengineering News]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750583626000721

Authors: Rodrigo Valencia Cotera, Paul Bowyer, Lars Buntemeyer

25 March 2026

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2026.104639

Highlights

•The CO2 storage component of DACCS is less desired than the capture.

•Benefit perception and feelings of tampering with nature are the strongest drivers of DACCS acceptance.

•Government and the industry are the least trusted actors; science and NGOs the most trusted.

•DACCS is still largely unfamiliar to the public.

•Exposure to information decreases acceptance.

Abstract

Direct Air Capture and Storage (DACCS) has recently emerged as one of the most researched and funded Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the social mechanisms influencing the acceptance of DACCS. This study conducted a survey to assess the acceptance of DACCS. The survey was conducted in Germany; a country that has historically expressed strong opposition to CO2 storage. The findings revealed that DACCS is relatively unfamiliar to the public. Benefit perception emerged as the most significant positive determinant of DACCS acceptance, while perceptions of tampering with nature were the strongest negative driver. The results showed a decrease in acceptance of DACCS as participants were exposed to more information, suggesting that access to information does not necessarily lead to higher acceptance. Among societal actors, industry and government were identified as the least trusted, highlighting potential challenges for future DACCS projects. These insights underlined the importance of addressing public trust before implementing DACCS.

Source: ScienceDirect