Technological Carbon Removal
The technological carbon dioxide removal (CDR) system was updated to reflect the latest developments in the CDR field and to add enablers that more comprehensively track the factors that can support CDR scale-up.
You will find updated narratives to reflect the latest science and understanding of the role of CDR; updated statistics to include latest data on targets, policies and purchasing; and updated sources throughout to reflect latest scientific evidence.
Data updates
- Technological carbon removal – added two additional years of historical data
- Governments investing in carbon removal RD&D – added one additional year of historical data
- Public spending on carbon removal RD&D – added two additional years of historical data
- Governments providing carbon removal deployment support – updated 2024 data
- Governments funding carbon removal enabling infrastructure – added one additional year of historical data
- Companies purchasing carbon removal credits – added two additional years of historical data
- Corporate spending on carbon removal credits – added two additional years of historical data
- Equity and sustainability consideration in national CDR investments – added one additional year of historical data
- NEW: Countries with carbon removal in their long-term strategies or NDCs – Provides an indication of which countries are already thinking about the role of technological CDR in their near- and long-term climate plans. Data is from Climate Watch and assessment of submitted nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies.
- NEW: Countries committed to reaching net-negative emissions – Countries committed to net negative emissions are scaling CDR to go beyond net zero and reduce atmospheric concentrations of CO2. As the global community faces overshoot of 1.5, countries committing to and reaching net negative can help minimize the duration and magnitude of overshoot. Data comes from assessment of national commitments.
- NEW: Scientific publications on carbon removal – Shows the level of scientific interest in CDR each year and on which CDR methods it is focused. Data is from the State of CDR report.
- NEW: News articles mentioning carbon removal approaches – Mentions of CDR in news articles each year provides an indication of the level of discourse on the topic among the general public. Data is from the State of CDR report.
- NEW: Carbon removal start-ups – The number of start-ups indicates the level of commercial activity in the space, which can be a forward-looking indicator for deployment of CDR. Data is from the State of CDR report.
- NEW: Operational carbon removal projects – The number of projects in operation complements the indicator looking at the number of start-ups, also providing a forward-looking indication of CDR deployment. Comprehensive data is unavailable.
- NEW: Carbon removal projects with community engagement – Community engagement is critical in CDR projects to ensure procedural equity and that host communities are supportive of the project.
- NEW: Carbon removal projects reinvesting revenue for local benefits – Gives a sense of how many CDR projects are providing local benefits additional to taxes and other obligations, for example, through community benefits agreements. Comprehensive data is unavailable.
- NEW: High-quality jobs created for carbon removal projects – Gives a sense of the level of economic development from CDR projects. Comprehensive data is unavailable.
- NEW: Measurement, reporting and verification protocols for carbon removal – When multiple protocols exist for CDR methods, it can create inconsistency in measurement practices, in how uncertainty is handled, and in other factors. Ultimately, moving toward consistent protocols for each method will help build trust in the industry.
- NEW: Cost of carbon removal by method – Comprehensive data is unavailable.
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