Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

KoRPSA – Carbon Management for Climate Neutrality: Regional Potentials and Systemic Analysis

Under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich (INATECH, University of Freiburg), researchers from the University of Freiburg, KIT and Fraunhofer ISI are investigating the potential for carbon management and negative emissions in the Upper Rhine region. This involves systematically analysing energy and material flows, creating technology-related profiles and developing transformation pathways. In close cooperation with stakeholders from industry, administration and civil society, a regional network is being created to provide recommendations for action. The aim is to establish methods that enable sustainable climate neutrality at the regional level.

Expand all Close all

The Federal Climate Protection Act stipulates that Germany must reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2045 at the latest, which requires a fundamental transformation of carbon cycles. Given the multitude of options and their varying effects and sustainability implications, important questions arise with regard to assessment, strategy and implementation.

 

The project clarifies the importance of regional carbon management strategies, including negative emissions, in the Upper Rhine region and Baden-Württemberg as exemplary cases. It creates the necessary knowledge for the design of such strategies from a systemic perspective, identifies options for action and promotes networking among stakeholders, thereby supporting the overall sustainable transformation towards climate neutrality.

As part of the project, a network of implementation partners will be created and a dialogue established. The project's intended system innovation is a systemic approach that considers options in an exploratory and evidence-based manner at different scales and governance levels, addressing conflicts of use rather than developing isolated climate-neutral strategies for individual sectors or stakeholders.

The project employs a multi-method approach, combining energy system modelling with social science and psychological methods, such as surveys, interviews, and document analysis.

Duration

from 1st April 2025 until 31 December 2026

Clients

  • State of Baden-Württemberg

Partners

  • University of Freiburg - INATECH
  • Institute for Industrial Production - IIP
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - KIT