Carbon removal

Carbon removal, also known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR), encompasses a range of natural and technological methods designed to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Unlike emissions avoidance or reduction (which prevent new emissions from occurring) carbon removal deals with existing atmospheric CO₂ and aims to lock it away for decades or centuries. Methods include nature-based approaches like reforestation and soil carbon sequestration, as well as engineered solutions such as direct air capture (DAC) and biochar. To count as true carbon removal, the captured carbon must be stored in a way that is measurable, verifiable, and durable.

Carbon removal is critical to achieving net zero targets. According to the IPCC, reducing emissions alone won’t be enough to limit global warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C. We also need to remove billions of tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere, especially to balance emissions from sectors that are hard to decarbonise, like aviation or agriculture. Carbon removal plays a central role in climate strategy and is a growing focus for policy, investment, and innovation.