More than 20 global CDR experts, led by Dr Steve Smith from Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, warn there is a large gap between how much CDR is needed to meet international temperature targets and how much governments are aiming to deliver. While the authors found a shortfall in policies to support CDR efforts, they report that research, innovation and public awareness around CDR are all rising fast

The report says that, to limit global warming to 2°C or lower, we need to accelerate emissions reductions, and we also need to increase carbon removal by restoring and enhancing ecosystems and rapidly scaling up new CDR methods.

Reflecting the numerous carbon capture technologies under development and speaking in general terms, Dr Steve Smith, Executive Director of Oxford Net Zero and CO2RE says: “Many new methods are emerging with potential. Rather than focusing on one or two options we should encourage a portfolio, so that we get to net zero quickly without over-relying on any one method.”

Meanwhile, Dr Oliver Geden of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, asserts: “CDR is not something we could do, but something we absolutely have to do to reach the Paris Agreement temperature goal.”

At present, most current CDR comes from conventional removal methods on land – primarily via planting trees and managing soils. The report says that countries will need to maintain and expand this going forward, but warns that this is nowhere near enough.