4 CDR - Carbon Dioxide Removal

CDR terminology can be confusing as it combines two very different methods: restoring natural carbon sinks, such as forests, soils or oceans, and investing in unproven technologies, like BECCS, DACCS or enhanced weathering.

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) encompasses various deliberate human approaches that can remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in oceanic, terrestrial or geological reservoirs over climate-relevant timescales of decades to millennia. These approaches include schemes such as reforestation, afforestation, iron fertilisation, ocean alkalinity enhancement, enhanced rock weathering, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and direct air capture and storage (DACCS). CDR is distinct from methods aimed at preventing new emissions at point sources, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) at fossil power plants or cement works, as these prevention methods are classed as emission reduction strategies.

CDR focuses on removing CO2 that is already in the atmosphere or in the upper ocean, and permanently storing it for centuries or longer.

Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (2023) Carbon Negative Shot