Glossary
Carbon removal
Carbon removal, also known as Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), pertains to the process of extracting or removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and subsequently storing it long-term in order to mitigate or reverse global warming. CO2 is a harmful greenhouse gas that exceptionally contributes to climate change when present in high concentrations in the atmosphere. By implementing carbon removal processes, an essential step towards reducing the carbon footprint and achieving net-zero carbon emissions is undertaken.
There are several methods for carbon removal, each with varying degrees of effectiveness and sustainability. Some fall under the category of natural processes, such as afforestation, which involves planting trees that naturally absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. Another is soil carbon sequestration, a process by which CO2 is captured from the atmosphere and stored in the carbon pool of soil.
In contrast, certain technological solutions, referred to as ‘engineered’ or ‘artificial’ methods, are increasingly being developed and implemented. These include direct air capture (DAC), in which fans and chemicals are used to bind and extract CO2 from the air, and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), which involves producing energy from biomass while capturing the resulting CO2 for storage. Carbon capture can also be implemented at industrial facilities or power plants to prevent CO2 from entering the atmosphere.
Once captured, the CO2 can be stored in a variety of ways, often through a process called carbon sequestration. This can include geologic sequestration, where CO2 is stored in underground rock formations, or mineralization, where it is converted into carbonate minerals.
Carbon removal has become more than just an ecological consideration; within the arena of carbon accounting, this process holds significant potential for offsetting CO2 emissions. Such offsetting can contribute to a company’s carbon neutrality goal and can also help nations meet their international climate change commitments. Nevertheless, it’s critical to note that carbon removal methods are a part of a broader approach to addressing climate change and must complement emissions reduction strategies.