Tackling Climate Change with CDR: Highlights from the 2024 Global Report

The 2024 edition of “The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal” presents a comprehensive, global, and independent scientific assessment of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods. Led by a distinguished team of experts including Oliver Geden from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Matthew J. Gidden from the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and Stephen M. Smith from the University of Oxford, this report provides critical insights into the current state, challenges, and future directions of CDR technologies.

CDR is increasingly recognized as a necessary component in the global strategy to mitigate climate change, alongside reducing emissions. The Paris Agreement’s long-term temperature goal necessitates not only rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but also substantial scaling up of CDR in the near term. The report highlights that, as of 2023, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, underscoring the urgency for effective emission reduction and CDR deployment.

Currently, about 2 gigatonnes of CO₂ per year are being removed through conventional CDR methods, primarily afforestation and reforestation. However, novel CDR methods, despite their early stage of development, are gaining traction and demonstrating rapid growth. These novel methods include Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS), which are essential for achieving durable CO₂ storage.

The report emphasizes the need for innovative activities to intensify across the CDR landscape. Indicators of innovation such as research grants, scientific publications, and patent activities reveal steady growth, though inventive activity has declined slightly since 2010. Despite this, investment in CDR startups and major demonstration programs, especially in the US, signal robust innovation momentum.

Policymaking plays a crucial role in fostering CDR innovation and scaling. While there is evidence of technology push policies, demand-pull policies remain underdeveloped. For CDR to scale effectively, comprehensive policies that create demand for carbon removals are essential. This includes robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems to ensure transparency and credibility in CDR activities.

Public awareness and perception of CDR are also critical. The report notes a significant rise in CDR coverage in media and social platforms, indicating growing public interest. Engaging with diverse publics and developing best practices for communication are vital for the ethical and effective deployment of CDR.

The report also identifies a gap between the CDR levels in scenarios that meet the Paris temperature goal and the actual proposals by governments. This “CDR gap” highlights the need for more ambitious national commitments and rapid scaling of both conventional and novel CDR methods. Closing this gap requires integrating sustainability considerations into CDR policies and continuing efforts to track and improve the state of CDR globally.

In summary, “The State of Carbon Dioxide Removal” 2024 edition is a vital resource for understanding the complexities and necessities of CDR in the fight against climate change. It calls for concerted efforts across research, innovation, policy, and public engagement to scale up CDR to the levels required for meeting global climate goals​​.