Research Group CARMA
Carbon Management
About the Research Group
The provision, use, and removal of renewable carbon are key prerequisites for a climate-neutral society. Effectively managing carbon across sectors - such as energy, industry, agriculture, and land use - can play a vital role in achieving this goal.
At CARMA, we adopt a systems‑based approach to carbon management. Our work focuses on biomass-based production systems and biological Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) approaches, especially BECCS and its nexus with nature-based solutions. Our goal is to determine how these options can work together as part of a sustainable, integrated (regional and national) carbon management strategy.
We develop and apply interdisciplinary methods to:
- design indicators and assessment frameworks to address challenges in carbon management, supporting integrated feasibility and sustainability evaluations - particularly for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and prospective technology assessment,
- conduct potential analyses (e.g., for bio-based carbon removal options such as Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and natural sink enhancement options) to understand what is possible, under what conditions, and with what implications,
- apply material flow analysis and life cycle (LCA) thinking to assess environmental impacts and trade-offs, and
- analyze policy frameworks and formulate evidence-based policy recommendations.
Our assessments are particularly focused on the fields of bioenergy, the bioeconomy, and CDR - with the aim of supporting sustainable transformation pathways toward a net-zero future.
Team
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Research Group Leader |
Postdocs | PhDs und Researchers |
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Dr. Malgorzata Borchers |
Dr. Daniela Siedschlag |
M.Sc. Christina Zinke |
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| M.Sc. Andrés Murillo | ||
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Research Assistants |
Fellows | Alumni |
| Geraldine Dambreville |
At CARMA, we develop and assess solution-oriented strategies for net-zero society. We investigate, among others, the potentials, limits, and interactions of various carbon management approaches, especially:
- bio-based CDR options, such as BECCS and natural sink enhancement (e.g., reforestation, peatland rewetting, paludiculture),
- land use implications and location-specific challenges and opportunities for implementing carbon management measures,
- systems-level sustainability and circularity, including cascading effects across sectors and scales, and
- governance frameworks that support responsible, cross-sectoral, and effective implementation.
By bridging a diverse renewable carbon-related strategies and assessment dimensions, we provide science-based guidance for their integration into comprehensive, sustainable mitigation and development strategies.
We apply a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including:
- multi-criteria evaluation and development of assessment frameworks (e.g., for feasibility, sustainability assessment) (see, e.g., Borchers et al. 2024; Borchers et al. 2022; Förster et al. 2022)
- scenario analysis and integrated assessment approaches,
- potential and geospatial analysis (see, e.g., Wollnik et al. 2025; Borchers et al. 2024; Thrän et al. 2024; Borchers et al. 2022)
- stakeholder mapping and governance analysis,
- life-cycle thinking and sustainability assessments, and
- prospective technology assessment and process modelling.
CARMA actively contributes to academic teaching and knowledge dissemination. We:
- · Supervise Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD theses
- Contribute to university courses on CDR
- Engage with stakeholders through workshops, expert dialogues, and policy briefings
- Support capacity building on carbon removal in Germany and beyond (see, e.g., Thrän et al. 2024
- IEA - IETS Biorefineries task XI
| Ongoing Projects |
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| Biogas2Protein | Biogas upgrading and microbial protein production by enriching phototrophic and sulfur oxidizing microbial consortia |
| Value4Farm | Sustainable renewable energy VALUE chains for answering FARMers’ needs |
| SYMOBIO2Plus | Systemic Monitoring and Modelling of Bioeconomy |
| MoBioInd | |
| BioTrafo | |
| Completed Projects |
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| BioNET | Multi-level Assessment of Bio-based Negative Emission Technologies |
| HI-CAM | Helmholtz Climate Innitiative |
| SYMOBIO 2.0 | Systemic Monitoring and Modelling of Bioeconomy |
| see also SABE | Completed projects of the former SABE Group |
Index:
You could use our publication index for further requests.
2025 (3)
- Lück, S., Callaghan, M., Borchers, M., Cowie, A., Fuss, S., Geden, O., Gidden, M., Hartmann, J., Kammann, C., Keller, D.P., Kraxner, F., Lamb, W., Mac Dowell, N., Müller-Hansen, F., Nemet, G., Probst, B., Renforth, P., Repke, T., Rickels, W., Schulte, I., Smith, P., Smith, S.M., Thrän, D., van der Spek, M., Minx, J.C. (2025):
Scientific literature on carbon dioxide removal revealed as much larger through AI-enhanced systematic mapping
Nat. Commun. 16 , art. 6632 10.1038/s41467-025-61485-8 - Thrän, D., Adetona, A., Borchers, M., Cyffka, K.-F., Daniel-Gromke, J., Oehmichen, K. (2025):
Potential contribution of biogas to net zero energy systems - A comparative study of Canada and Germany
Biomass Bioenerg. 193 , art. 107561 10.1016/j.biombioe.2024.107561 - Yao, W., Morganti, T.M., Wu, J., Borchers, M., Anschütz, A., Bednarz, L.-K., Bhaumik, K.A., Böttcher, M., Burkhard, K., Cabus, T., Chua, A.S., Diercks, I., Esposito, M., Fink, M., Fouqueray, M., Gasanzade, F., Geilert, S., Hauck, J., Havermann, F., Hellige, I., Hoog, S., Jürchott, M., Kalapurakkal, H.T., Kemper, J., Kremin, I., Lange, I., Marquez Lencina-Avila, J., Liadova, M., Liu, F., Mathesius, S., Mehendale, N., Nagwekar, T., Philippi, M., Neves da Luz, G.L., Ramasamy, M., Stahl, F., Tank, L., Vorrath, M.-E., Westmark, L., Wey, H.-W., Wollnik, R., Wölfelschneider, M., Bach, W., Bischof, K., Boersma, M., Daewel, U., Fernández-Méndez, M., Geuer, J., Keller, D.P., Kopf, A., Merk, C., Moosdorf, N., Oppelt, N., Oschlies, A., Pongratz, J., Proelss, A., Rehder, G.J., Rüpke, L., Szarka, N., Thrän, D., Wallmann, K., Mengis, N. (2025):
Exploring site-specific carbon dioxide removal options with storage or sequestration in the marine environment - The 10 Mt CO2 yr-1 removal challenge for Germany
Earth Future 13 (4), e2024EF004902 10.1029/2024EF004902
2024 (10)
- Beck-O'Brien, M., Bringezu, S., Banse, M., Barrelet, J., Bezama, A., Bösch, M., Brüning, S., Bührlen, B., Cabezas, A., Cyffka, K.-F., Dzene, I., Gordillo Vera, F., Helander, H., Henke, J., Hennenberg, K., Hinz, R., Iost, S., Jordan, M., Kilian, D., Köppen, S., Kynast, E., Lutz, C., Pereira, S., Pfeiffer, M., Phuntsho, , Pozo Inofuentes, P., Reiss, T., Reuschel, S., Richter, S., Schaldach, R., Scheffler, M., Schomberg, A., Schüngel, A., Schweinle, J., Thrän, D., Wang, M., Weimar, H., Wiegmann, K., Wijesingha, J., Wilske, B., Wydra, S., Zeug, W., Zinke, C. (2024):
Monitoring the German Bioeconomy: Status, performance, trends and implications for sustainable development
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), Universität Kassel, Kassel, 193 pp. 10.17170/kobra-2024111510679 - Beck-O'Brien, M., Bringezu, S., Banse, M., Barrelet, J., Bezama, A., Bösch, M., Brüning, S., Bührlen, B., Cabezas, A., Cyffka, K.-F., Dzene, I., Gordillo Vera, F., Helander, H., Henke, J., Hennenberg, K., Hinz, R., Iost, S., Jordan, M., Kilian, D., Köppen, S., Kynast, E., Lutz, C., Pereira, S., Pfeiffer, M., Phuntsho, , Pozo Inofuentes, P., Reiss, T., Reuschel, S., Richter, S., Schaldach, R., Scheffler, M., Schomberg, A., Schüngel, A., Schweinle, J., Thrän, D., Wang, M., Weimar, H., Wiegmann, K., Wijesingha, J., Wilske, B., Wydra, S., Zeug, W., Zinke, C. (2024):
Monitoring the German Bioeconomy - Summary
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), Universität Kassel, Kassel, 21 pp. 10.17170/kobra-2024111510677 - Beck-O'Brien, M., Bringezu, S., Banse, M., Barrelet, J., Bezama, A., Bösch, M., Brüning, S., Bührlen, B., Cabezas, A., Cyffka, K.-F., Dzene, I., Gordillo Vera, F., Helander, H., Henke, J., Hennenberg, K., Hinz, R., Iost, S., Jordan, M., Kilian, D., Köppen, S., Kynast, E., Lutz, C., Pereira, S., Pfeiffer, M., Phuntsho, , Pozo Inofuentes, P., Reiss, T., Reuschel, S., Richter, S., Schaldach, R., Scheffler, M., Schomberg, A., Schüngel, A., Schweinle, J., Thrän, D., Wang, M., Weimar, H., Wiegmann, K., Wijesingha, J., Wilske, B., Wydra, S., Zeug, W., Zinke, C. (2024):
Monitoring der deutschen Bioökonomie - Zusammenfassung
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), Universität Kassel, Kassel, 21 S. 10.17170/kobra-2024111510678 - Borchers, M., Förster, J., Thrän, D., Beck, S., Thoni, T., Korte, K., Gawel, E., Markus, T., Schaller, R., Rhoden, I., Chi, Y., Dahmen, N., Dittmeyer, R., Dolch, T., Dold, C., Herbst, M., Heß, D., Kalhori, A., Koop-Jakobsen, K., Li, Z., Oschlies, A., Reusch, T.B.H., Sachs, T., Schmidt-Hattenberger, C., Stevenson, A., Wu, J., Yeates, C., Mengis, N. (2024):
A comprehensive assessment of carbon dioxide removal options for Germany
Earth Future 12 (5), e2023EF003986 10.1029/2023ef003986 - Brellochs, J., Goy, J., Scherdel, C., Brödnerl, R., Lorenz, T., Weiß, K.-A., Kullmann, F., Wern, B., Tavakkol, S., Borchers, M., Otto, D., Berg, H. (2024):
Circular Economy als Basis für resiliente und erneuerbare Rohstoffkreisläufe
Forschung für ein resilientes Energiesystem in Zeiten globaler Krisen. Beiträge zur FVEE-Jahrestagung 2023, Berlin, 10-11 October 2023
FVEE-Themen 2023
ForschungsVerbund Erneuerbare Energien (FVEE), Berlin, 83 - 87 - Köhnke, F., Steuri, B., Baetcke, L., Borchers, M., Brinkmann, T., Dittmeyer, R., Dornheim, M., El Zohbi, J., Förster, J., Gawel, E., Görl, K., Herbst, M., Heß, D., Kalhori, A., Korte, K., Li, Z., Markus, T., Mengis, N., Monnerie, N., Oschlies, A., Prats-Salvado, E., Reusch, T.B.H., Rhoden, I., Sachs, T., Schaller, R., Schill, E., Simon, S., Stevenson, A., Thoni, T., Thrän, D., Xiao, M., Jacob, D. (2024):
A storyline approach: integrating comprehensive, interdisciplinary research results to create narratives – in the context of the net-zero target in Germany
Front. Environ. Sci. 12 , art. 1433491 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1433491 - Thrän, D., Borchers, M., Jordan, M., Lenz, V., Markus, T., Matzner, N., Oehmichen, K., Otto, D., Radtke, K.S., Reshef, N., Sadr, M., Siedschlag, D., Wollnik, R. (2024):
BECCS – ein nachhaltiger Beitrag zur dauerhaften CO2-Entnahme in Deutschland? Diskussionspapier
UFZ Report 2/2024
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, 22 S. 10.57699/edk7-mc18 - Thrän, D., Wollnik, R., Borchers, M., Sadr, M., Matzner, N., Otto, D., Förster, J., Siedschlag, D. (2024):
Multilevel assessment of bio-based CDR options - Towards a sustainable implementation of integrated BECCS concepts in Germany
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 24-27 June, Marseille, France
EUBCE Proceedings
ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, Florence, p. 8 - 11 10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-BP.1.3 - Wollnik, R., Borchers, M., Seibert, R., Abel, S., Herrmann, P., Elsasser, P., Hildebrandt, J., Meisel, K., Hofmann, P., Radtke, K., Selig, M., Kazmin, S., Szarka, N., Thrän, D. (2024):
Dynamics of bio-based carbon dioxide removal in Germany
Sci. Rep. 14 , art. 20395 10.1038/s41598-024-71017-x - Wollnik, R., Borchers, M., Thrän, D. (2024):
Designing tomorrow - expenses and temporal dynamics of bio-based carbon dioxide removal
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 24-27 June, Marseille, France
EUBCE Proceedings
ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, Florence, p. 327 - 331 10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-2BV.7.8
2023 (4)
- Abetz, V., Baetcke, L., Ball, C., Bauer, F., Beck, S., Berkel, M., Blome, T., Borchers, M., Brinkmann, T., Bruhn, D., Chi, Y., Dahmen, N., Dittmeyer, R., Dolch, T., Dold, C., Dornheim, M., El Zhobi, J., Fogel, S., Förster, J., Fuchs, S., Gardian, H., Gawel, E., Görl, K., Groth, M., Hamedimastanabad, H., Hampel, U., Harpprecht, C., Herbst, M., Heß, D., Jacob, D., Kalhori, A., Kiendler-Scharr, A., Klassen, T., Köhnke, F., Koop-Jakobsen, K., Korte, K., Kuckshinrichs, W., Li, Z., Markus, T., Mayer, M., Mengis, N., Monnerie, N., O Corcora, T., Oschlies, A., Pardo Parez, L.C., Prats Salvado, E., Pregger, T., Preuschmann, S., Rau, B., Rechid, D., Reusch, T., Rhoden, I., Riehm, J., Roeb, M., Rolletter, M., Sachs, T., Sattler, C., Sauer, J., Schaller, R., Schätzler, K., Schill, E., Schmidt-Hattenberger, C., Schultz, M., Simon, S., Steiner, U., Steuri, B., Stevenson, A., Sun, J., Thoni, T., Thrän, D., Unger, S., Vögele, S., Waczowicz, S., Weihermüller, L., Xiao, M., Yeates, C., Zwickel, P. (2023):
Netto-Null-2050 Wegweiser - Strategische Handlungsempfehlungen und mögliche Wege für ein CO2-neutrales Deutschland bis 2050, Forschung von 2019 bis 2021 - Version 1.0
Helmholtz-Klima-Initiative (HI-CAM), Berlin, 208 S. - Köhnke, F., Steuri, B., El Zohbi, J., Görl, K., Borchers, M., Förster, J., Thrän, D., Mengis, N., Oschlies, A., Jacob, D. (2023):
On the path to net-zero: Establishing a multi-level system to support the complex endeavor of reaching national carbon neutrality
Front. Clim. 5 , art. 1056023 10.3389/fclim.2023.1056023 - Wollnik, R., Borchers, M., Seibert, R., Abel, S., Herrmann, P., Elsasser, P., Hildebrandt, J., Mühlich, M., Eisenschmidt, P., Meisel, K., Henning, P., Radtke, K.S., Selig, M., Kazmin, S., Thrän, D., Szarka, N. (2023):
Steckbriefe für biobasierte Kohlenstoffdioxid-Entnahmeoptionen in Deutschland
Open Agrar 10.48480/tga8-t109 - Wollnik, R., Borchers, M., Seibert, R., Abel, S., Herrmann, P., Elsasser, P., Hildebrandt, J., Mühlich, M., Eisenschmidt, P., Meisel, K., Henning, P., Radtke, K.S., Selig, M., Kazmin, S., Thrän, D., Szarka, N. (2023):
Factsheets for bio-based carbon dioxide removal options in Germany
Open Agrar 10.48480/x293-8050
2022 (3)
- Borchers, M., Thrän, D., Chi, Y., Dahmen, N., Dittmeyer, R., Dolch, T., Dold, C., Förster, J., Herbst, M., Heß, D., Kalhori, A., Koop-Jakobsen, K., Li, Z., Mengis, N., Reusch, T.B., Rhoden, I., Sachs, T., Schmidt-Hattenberger, C., Stevenson, A., Thoni, T., Wu, J., Yeates, C. (2022):
Scoping carbon dioxide removal options for Germany–What is their potential contribution to Net-Zero CO2?
Front. Clim. 4 , art. 810343 10.3389/fclim.2022.810343 - Förster, J., Beck, S., Borchers, M., Gawel, E., Korte, K., Markus, T., Mengis, N., Oschlies, A., Schaller, R., Stevenson, A., Thoni, T., Thrän, D. (2022):
Framework for assessing the feasibility of carbon dioxide removal options within the national context of Germany
Front. Clim. 4 , art. 758628 10.3389/fclim.2022.758628 - Mengis, N., Kalhori, A., Simon, S., Harpprecht, C., Baetcke, L., Prats, E., Schmidt-Hattenberger, C., Stevenson, A., Dold, C., El Zohbi, J., Borchers, M., Thrän, D., Korte, K., Gawel, E., Dolch, T., Heß, D., Yeates, C., Thoni, T., Markus, T., Schill, E., Xiao, M., Köhnke, F., Oschlies, A., Förster, J., Görl, K., Dornheim, M., Brinkmann, T., Beck, S., Bruhn, D., Li, Z., Steuri, B., Herbst, M., Sachs, T., Monnerie, N., Pregger, T., Jacob, D., Dittmeyer, R. (2022):
Net-zero CO2 Germany - A retrospect from the year 2050
Earth Future 10 (2), e2021EF002324 10.1029/2021EF002324
2020 (6)
- Billig, E., Budzinski, M., Borchers, M., Moesenfechtel, U., Thrän, D., Bringezu, S. (2020):
Potenziell Transformative Technologien
In: Bringezu, S., et al. (Hrsg.)
Pilotbericht zum Monitoring der deutschen Bioökonomie
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), Universität Kassel, Kassel, S. 73 - 74 10.17170/kobra-202005131255 - Borchers, M., Cherubini, F., Cowie, A., Egnell, G., Hamelin, L., Harris, Z., Kollai, H., Lodato, C., Röder, M., Thrän, D. (2020):
Summary of the workshop
In: Thrän, D., Cowie, A.L., Berndes, G. (eds.)
Roles of bioenergy in energy system pathways towards a “well-below-2-degrees-Celsius (WB2)” world. Workshop report and synthesis of presented studies. A Strategic Inter-Task Study carried out with cooperation between IEA Bioenergy Tasks 40, 43, 44 and 45
IEA Bioenergy, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, p. 14 - 19 - Bringezu, S., Banse, M., Ahmann, L., Bezama, A., Billig, E., Bischof, R., Blanke, C., Brosowski, A., Brüning, S., Borchers, M., Budzinski, M., Cyffka, K.-F., Distelkamp, M., Egenolf, V., Flaute, M., Geng, N., Gieseking, L., Graß, R., Hennenberg, K., Hering, T., Iost, S., Jochem, D., Krause, T., Lutz, C., Machmüller, A., Mahro, B., Majer, S., Mantau, U., Meisel, K., Moesenfechtel, U., Noke, A., Raussen, T., Richter, F., Schaldach, R., Schweinle, J., Thrän, D., Uglik, M., Weimar, H., Wimmer, F., Wydra, S., Zeug, W. (2020):
Pilotbericht zum Monitoring der deutschen Bioökonomie
Center for Environmental Systems Research (CESR), Universität Kassel, Kassel, 115 S. 10.17170/kobra-202005131255 - Olsson, O., Bang, C., Borchers, M., Hahn, A., Karjunen, H., Thrän, D., Tynjälä, T. (2020):
Deployment of BECCS/U value chains. Technological pathways, policy options and business models
IEA Bioenergy Task 40 6/2020
IEA Bioenergy, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, 24 pp. - Thoni, T., Beck, S., Borchers, M., Förster, J., Görl, K., Hahn, A., Mengis, N., Stevenson, A., Thrän, D. (2020):
Deployment of Negative Emissions Technologies at the national level: A need for holistic feasibility assessments
Front. Clim. 2 , art. 590305 10.3389/fclim.2020.590305 - Thrän, D., Berndes, G., Borchers, M., Hahn, A., Millinger, M. (2020):
Role of bioenergy in global and national studies
In: Thrän, D., Cowie, A.L., Berndes, G. (eds.)
Roles of bioenergy in energy system pathways towards a “well-below-2-degrees-Celsius (WB2)” world. Workshop report and synthesis of presented studies. A Strategic Inter-Task Study carried out with cooperation between IEA Bioenergy Tasks 40, 43, 44 and 45
IEA Bioenergy, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, p. 19 - 28
In cooperation with the working group, theses and internships that are specifically related to the current topics can be carried out. Please send inquiries and unsolicited applications to Dr. Malgorzata Borchers .
Open positions, if available, are advertised on the
UFZ career and jobs website
.
Background
The CARMA research group was established in 2025, evolving from the former SABE group (System Analysis of the BioEconomy), which had been active at the UFZ since 2015.