Options for supporting carbon dioxide removal

The document analyzes strategies for scaling Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to meet IPCC 1.5°C goals. It recommends supporting biological CDR through domestic regulation rather than carbon markets due to non-permanence risks, and suggests targeted R&D and pilot support for technological CDR (BECCS, DACCS, enhanced weathering, and mineral carbonation). Crucially, it argues that separate targets for emissions and removals are superior to combined net-zero targets to prevent the diversion of attention from essential emission reductions and to prepare for a future net-negative CO2 phase.

• Biological CDR options, such as afforestation, reforestation, biochar, and soil carbon sequestration, should be supported via domestic regulation and international support rather than carbon markets. The use of offsetting for these options is discouraged because the risks of non-permanence, limited additionality, and land-use conflicts outweigh the benefits.
• Technological CDR options—specifically BECCS, DACCS, mineral carbonation (currently in demonstration phase), and enhanced weathering (currently in R&D phase)—require long-term, secure R&D and pilot support to reduce costs and understand risks. Funding could be sourced from carbon pricing or emission trading system (ETS) auction revenues, provided it does not divert funds from other mitigation activities.
• The paper argues that maintaining separate targets for emissions and removals is significantly more advantageous than combined net-zero targets. Combined targets risk diverting focus from emission reductions based on the uncertain assumption that removals can be relied upon later, whereas separate targets ensure clear responsibility and better prepare for the net-negative phase required in the second half of the century.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2020). Options for supporting carbon dioxide removal. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/options-for-supporting-carbon-dioxide-removal

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. Options for supporting carbon dioxide removal. 2020. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/options-for-supporting-carbon-dioxide-removal.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=Options for supporting carbon dioxide removal |date=28 July 2020 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/options-for-supporting-carbon-dioxide-removal |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2020options, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{Options for supporting carbon dioxide removal}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2020}, month = jul, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/options-for-supporting-carbon-dioxide-removal}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }