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WHAT IS CARBON REMOVAL?
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) or Carbon Removal, refers to the process of removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it permanently or using it in ways so it is not re-released.
Even if we completely stop emitting CO2 tomorrow, the CO2 already in the atmosphere will continue to affect the climate for centuries. Scientists agree that we need to not only reduce new emissions but also actively remove the excess CO2 already up there to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
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Everyone has a part to play to have an impact
As a response to the growing urgency of climate change, carbon removal has emerged as a critical tool to limit global warming. But why exactly do we need it?
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Climate Change and Excess CO2
Human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, have pumped an enormous amount of CO2 into the atmosphere over the past two centuries. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat, and its excess buildup is causing out planet’s temperature to rise — a phenomenon known as global warming, which is causing climate change. This warming is already having disastrous consequences, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems.
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Even if we completely stop emitting CO2 tomorrow, the CO2 already in the atmosphere will continue to affect the climate for centuries. Scientists agree that we need to not only reduce new emissions but also actively remove the excess CO2 already up there to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
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Carbon Removal in Two Steps
The two main steps in carbon removal are capture and storage. CO2 must be captured from the atmosphere, and can be done via various methods, including tree planting, from geochemical reactions, or from ocean interactions.
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After the CO2 is captured, it needs to be stored in place where it will not be re-released into the atmosphere on a time scale that is impactful for climate change mitigation. Ideal permanent storage can last from 1000s to millions of years.
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Types of Carbon Removal
There are several methods of carbon removal, each with a different mechanism for capturing CO2 and storing it away, at different stages of development:
Each of these different approaches are critical to achieve climate goals. Check out the Road to 10 Gigatons game to make your own carbon removal solution portfolio!
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Why Do We Need Carbon Removal?
While reducing CO2 emissions through clean energy resources, more efficient transportation, and better agricultural practices is essential, it is not enough to solve the climate crisis on its own. We need carbon removal because
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Hard-to-eliminate emissions: Certain sectors, like aviation and heavy industry, are challenging to fully decarbonize. Carbon removal can be used to offset these unavoidable emissions.
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Overshoot scenarios: If we exceed the temperature targets set by the Paris Agreement, carbon removal will be necessary to bring global temperatures back down.
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Restoring balance: By removing excess CO2 we’ve already emitted, carbon removal helps restore the natural balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
The graph below illustrates how carbon removal (in blue) complements traditional mitigation strategies (in gray) to achieve net-zero emissions goals. Even with aggressive reductions in CO2 emissions, carbon removal is necessary to capture and store the remaining CO2 that’s already in the atmosphere.
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As shown, by mid-century, carbon removal becomes increasingly critical as emissions from harder-to-decarbonize sectors continue. Together, carbon removal and emissions reductions give us a chance to meet global climate goals and stabilize Earth’s climate.
In short, carbon removal is an essential part of the climate action toolkit. It won’t replace the need for reducing emissions, but alongside those efforts, it can help us achieve the climate stability we desperately need.
​As shown, by mid-century, carbon removal becomes increasingly critical as emissions from harder-to-decarbonize sectors continue. Together, carbon removal and emissions reductions give us a chance to meet global climate goals and stabilize Earth’s climate.
In short, carbon removal is an essential part of the climate action toolkit. It won’t replace the need for reducing emissions, but alongside those efforts, it can help us achieve the climate stability we desperately need.
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Everyone has a part to play to have an impact!