Utilisation

Currently, the use of fossil raw materials is associated with enormous anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Only if the economic system is converted to closed carbon cycles, many of the associated problems can be solved. Above all, the atmosphere must not be further polluted by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This is where the EU's commitment, binding under international law, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, above all carbon dioxide (CO2), by 40% by 2030 compared to the reference year 1990, comes into play. The former coal state of North Rhine-Westphalia is particularly affected by this structural change. The climate protection roadmap aims to reduce CO2 emissions from lignite by 40 to 50% by 2030. The necessary reduction in the proportion of lignite used for electricity generation could compensate for new uses and at the same time contribute to increased value creation. The focus here is on the developing new value chains that are in line with the overarching goals of the energy transition. In a comparative evaluation of the different options, all available carbon sources must be considered so that the course can be set optimally. The energy turnaround, the transition from the use of fossil fuels to the increased use of renewable energy sources and sustainable economic activity, is still not self-sustaining per se.