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This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the systemic failures of carbon offsetting, arguing that these mechanisms often increase global emissions rather than reduce them. The document details how both compliance and voluntary carbon markets suffer from low environmental integrity, lack of additionality, and fraudulent practices, particularly in forestry projects. It concludes that carbon offsets are not a valid climate solution and that priority must be given to direct emission mitigation over offsetting or unproven large-scale carbon removal technologies.

This technical note details the methodology used by the NewClimate Institute for the State of Climate Action series to identify sectors requiring transformation, establish 1.5°C-aligned global mitigation targets for 2030, 2035, and 2050, and select indicators to monitor annual progress in greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon removal.

This report summarizes the outcomes of a 2021 virtual workshop series organized by Climate Action Network – Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada, involving approximately 30 civil society groups to discuss the implications of net-zero in Canada.

The State of Climate Action 2021 report evaluates 40 indicators across key economic sectors to determine the progress toward a zero-carbon world by 2030 and 2050, finding that none of these indicators are currently on track to meet 2030 targets.

This research paper analyzes the first 29 long-term low greenhouse gas (GHG) emission development strategies (LTSs) submitted to the UNFCCC by June 2021. The authors identify common trends in midcentury targets, mitigation modeling, sectoral transitions, and governance frameworks, noting a significant shift toward net-zero goals and a broader focus on societal transformation beyond simple mitigation modeling.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that immediate and transparent emission cuts are essential to avoid ecological disaster, as the cumulative nature of CO2 means that delaying action increases peak temperatures even if net-zero targets are eventually met.

This World Resources Institute research paper provides a framework for countries to design and communicate net-zero GHG targets. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, sector-wide targets with ambitious time frames—especially for major emitters—and argues that targets should be legally binding and informed by stakeholder engagement to ensure a just transition. The paper advocates for prioritizing domestic reductions over international transfers and integrating long-term net-zero goals into near-term policies and NDCs.

This guide by RMI provides a comprehensive framework of design decisions for establishing a government-led Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for carbon removal. It outlines over 30 design questions and 110 options across categories such as market definition, procurement, governance, and legal structure to help stakeholders co-create an AMC tailored to the needs of the carbon removal sector.

This working paper, part of the World Resources Institute's CarbonShot series, serves as a primer for U.S. policymakers on the role, risks, and necessity of carbon removal to meet global climate targets.

This working paper, part of the World Resources Institute's 'CarbonShot' series, outlines federal policy options to scale carbon removal in the United States to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute and the University of Pennsylvania examines the environmental and social impacts of deploying Direct Air Capture (DAC) plants in the United States, emphasizing the need for equitable siting and inclusive decision-making to ensure responsible scaling.

This working paper examines the international governance of technological carbon removal, focusing on three main challenges: mitigation deterrence, equity in deployment and benefits, and the lack of standardized measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) processes. It notes that while 26 of 62 LTSs submitted to the UNFCCC as of May 2023 consider technological CDR, there is little guidance on how to scale these technologies equitably and sustainably to meet the 1.5 degrees C goal of the Paris Agreement.

This working paper, part of the World Resources Institute's CarbonShot series, examines the potential for carbon removal through forests and farms in the United States. It identifies the technical and financial barriers to large-scale deployment and discusses land-use trade-offs associated with different carbon-beneficial practices.

This research paper analyzes the potential rural economic impacts of federal investments in the new climate economy, focusing on clean energy, fossil fuel site remediation, reforestation, and wildfire risk reduction.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute explores the potential for technological carbon removal in the United States, focusing on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), direct air capture with storage (DACS), and frontier technologies. It identifies the infrastructure, policy, and research needs required to scale these technologies to help meet Paris Agreement temperature targets.

This research paper analyzes the role of biomass and biofuels in the decarbonization of the United States economy through 2050, arguing that biomass is a limited resource that must be managed with strict carbon accounting and guardrails to avoid unsustainable land use change.

This briefing paper compares the development of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and Direct Air Capture (DAC) in the United States and China. The U.S. is leading in infrastructure and policy incentives, notably through the Inflation Reduction Act's 45Q tax credits. China is rapidly expanding its project portfolio but faces significant regulatory gaps and a lack of structured financial support. The document outlines a bilateral commitment under the Sunnylands Statement to develop five large-scale cooperative projects each by 2030, with a 2024 focus on hard-to-abate industries, market environments, infrastructure, and carbon removal.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute outlines the potential for agricultural soil carbon management to remove carbon dioxide in the United States, detailing estimated removal capacities, costs, and a proposed federal policy framework involving financial and technical assistance.

This document outlines key infrastructure, technology, and policy requirements needed to enable the scaled deployment of carbon removal pathways in the United States, covering energy needs, storage, transport, monitoring, and land use.

This World Resources Institute fact sheet describes Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, its potential for carbon removal in the United States, and the federal policy and funding requirements needed to scale the technology by midcentury.