Perceived benefits and barriers of direct air carbon capture and storage: Applying a holistic perspective among German citizens using structural equation modeling

Technologies such as Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) are designed to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases by capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in geological formations. Public acceptance plays a critical role in the successful implementation of sustainable technologies. This study therefore investigates which factors influence the acceptance of DACCS through an online survey conducted with a German lay sample (N = 908). Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, we examine the perception of DACCS, Direct Air Capture (DAC), and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to examine the factors contributing to technology perception and the influence they have on DACCS acceptance, along with person-related characteristics.

The findings reveal that DAC is viewed more positively than CCS and DACCS, both affectively and cognitively (i.e., perceived benefits and barriers). Acceptance of DACCS is moderate. The structural model indicates that DACCS acceptance is directly shaped by perceptions of its benefits and barriers, and by characteristics such as gender and education. Participants’ affective evaluations and openness to innovation indirectly influence acceptance. The segmentation of DAC, CCS, and DACCS emphasizes the relationship between technology perceptions and their respective influence on technology acceptance.

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological and social drivers of public acceptance and highlights the need to consider both the individual components and the composite nature of CO₂ removal technologies in communication and policy design. The results underscore the importance of public perceptions in shaping the feasibility of implementing DACCS at scale.