 | | | | Links to recent scientific papers, web posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, podcasts, and event recordings, etc. on Carbon Dioxide Removal TechnologyMap of policy instruments for CDR (Source)Everything we publish on Carbon Removal Updates is free to access. If you value this work and are able, please consider supporting us as a paid subscriber. Your support sustains this vital work and helps us reach more people with balanced, timely information on this critical topic.
TABLE OF CONTENTSNote: Click on the headings listed in the table of contents above to easily navigate to the sections you're interested in. THIS WEEK’S TOP CDR HIGHLIGHTSCALL FOR CONSULTATION: The European Commission has released a draft proposal to establish certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals, focusing on DACCS, biogenic CO₂ capture with storage, and biochar. These methodologies define rules for quantifying removals, monitoring, liability, sustainability, and avoiding reversal risks and are central to the future EU certification framework. Public feedback is open until 22 September 2025. RESEARCH PAPER: A new analysis challenges the inflationary use of the term “hard to abate.” It argues that this designation should be reserved for emissions where Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage is demonstrably more cost- and energy-efficient than point-source mitigation. This distinction is essential to ensure accurate accounting and efficient decarbonization strategies. CDR DEAL: Vaulted Deep has signed a 12-year offtake deal with Microsoft to deliver up to 4.9 million tonnes of durable carbon removal by 2038. The agreement supports Vaulted’s expansion of its waste-to-CDR sites across the U.S. REPORT: CO₂RE has released a new report, The UK State of Carbon Dioxide Removal, which examines the current state of CDR in the UK and outlines how the sector must evolve to scale sustainably and contribute to reaching net zero by 2050. JOB OPPORTUNITY: The University of South Australia is inviting applications for a Research Associate (Level ARAS) position focused on enhanced rock weathering for soil carbon sequestration. Based at the Future Industries Institute, the role runs until March 2028. Apply by 13 August 2025. Read on to unpack more updates: COMMERCIAL NEWS Share Carbon Removal Updates RESEARCH PAPERSAuthors: Sarah Lück, Max Callaghan, Malgorzata Borchers, Annette Cowie, Sabine Fuss, Matthew Gidden, et al.Synopsis: AI-powered analysis reveals nearly 29,000 studies on carbon dioxide removal, 3–4× more than previously thought. Research is growing rapidly but remains concentrated in topics like biochar and regions like China, contrasting with slower deployment trends.
Authors: Haris Ishaq and Curran CrawfordSynopsis: This review assesses the role of Negative Emission Technologies (NETs) in achieving climate goals beyond 1.5 °C. It examines the performance, scalability, and trade-offs of key NETs, including BECCS, DACCS, afforestation, and ocean-based methods, analyzing energy use, cost, MRV, and governance.
Authors: Vincent Dufour-Décieux, Katrin Sievert, Bjarne Steffen, André Bardow, Tobias S. SchmidtSynopsis: This paper proposes a science-based definition for "hard-to-abate" emissions, arguing the term is often misused. It defines such emissions as those for which DACCS is more cost- and energy-efficient than any other option. Case studies show cement is not hard to abate, while aviation is.
Authors: Xin Zheng, Yuanyuan Fu, Shaoqiang Wang, Lunche Wang, Zhijie Xie & Chang LiuSynopsis: From 2000–2020, carbon sink capacity (CSC) in China’s Three Gorges Reservoir Area showed a rising trend in over 90% of the region. Precipitation was the key driver, while future CSC trends remain uncertain due to climate change. Regional strategies are needed to sustain ecosystem carbon sinks.
Authors: Rupert F. Stuart-Smith, Ewan White, Ruben Prütz, Joeri Rogelj, Thom Wetzer, Marianne Wood & Lavanya RajamaniSynopsis: Many countries' climate plans rely heavily on CDR, but few clarify how it will be delivered. This analysis of 71 national strategies shows that overdependence on uncertain CDR risks missing the Paris goals and worsening climate impacts. Minimizing overshoot is key.
Authors: Ottmar Edenhofer, Max Franks, Friedemann Gruner, Matthias Kalkuhl and Kai LessmannSynopsis: This review explores the emerging economics of CDR, highlighting its potential to lower climate policy costs and ease global cooperation. Key governance challenges include ensuring permanence, managing default risks, and designing effective incentives.
Authors: Jan FM Van Impe, Grégoire Léonard, Satyajeet S Bhonsale, Monika E Polańska, Filip LogistSynopsis: This study models a bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPMED) cell for CO₂ recovery in DAC systems, identifying potassium ion concentration as the key factor affecting energy use, cost, and efficiency. A trade-off between speed and efficiency is highlighted, guiding future system-level optimization.
Authors: Jeffrey Dankwa Ampah, Chao Jin, Haifeng Liu, Mingfa Yao, Zhangming Ge, Sandylove Afrane, et al.Synopsis: This study shows that interregional CDR trade could allow the Global South to export ~5 GtCO₂/year by 2060, generating $3.1 trillion annually and 17 million jobs. But rising exports may strain local resources, increasing imports of biomass (+36%), gas (+18%), and food. Trade-offs must be managed carefully.
Authors: Emerson Conrad-Rooney, Andrew B. Reinmann, and Pamela H. TemplerSynopsis: A 10-year field study shows growing season warming boosts tree biomass carbon by 63% in northeastern US forests, but shrinking snowpacks and winter freeze/thaw cycles cut this benefit in half. Earth system models may thus overestimate forest carbon sink potential under climate change.
Authors: Dao-Lin Sun, Yonghong Miao, Jianguo Zhu, Peng Wang, Yulong Zheng, Kaiwei Lu, Gui-Yu ZhangSynopsis: Incorporating calcium carbide slag (CCS) into cement, paired with carbonation curing, can enhance carbon fixation and mechanical performance. A 5% CCS mix boosts 28-day strength by ~18%, while 20% CCS raises CO₂ absorption to 25.91%. Optimal use balances strength gains and structural integrity.
Authors: Paweł P. Ziemiański, Mercy CherotichIlia, Sadykov, Chaima Mansour, Ivan Lunati, Marco Ranocchiari, et al.Synopsis: This study improves DAC by developing superhydrophobic amine-functionalized silica gels that drastically cut water uptake and maintain CO₂ selectivity under high humidity. This tackles a major challenge in DAC and boosts real-world viability.
Authors: Chun Yang, Sheng-Ao Liu, Hong-Yan Li, Yi-Gang XuSynopsis: This research reveals that deep subduction of the Pacific slab beneath East Asia created a long-term carbon sink in the mantle transition zone. This deep carbon storage, linked to East Asian basalts, may have played a major role in lowering atmospheric CO₂ since the Cretaceous.
Authors: Lili Liang, Shijing Liang, Zhenzhong Zeng, Alan D. Ziegler, Yuntian Chen, Yiheng Tao, et al.Synopsis: This modeling study shows that rapid CO₂ removal to pre-industrial levels could cause terrestrial ecosystems, especially in the tropics—to temporarily emit carbon. Boreal regions help offset this. Recovery takes ~14 years, highlighting the need for balanced CDR and land management.
Authors: Dailiang Peng, Bing Zhang, Shijun Zheng, Weimin Ju, Jing M. Chen, Philippe Ciais, Huadong Guo, Yuhao Pan, et al.Synopsis: This study shows that despite global forest loss from 1981–2019, land cover change led to a net carbon gain of 229 Tg C. Afforestation and reforestation offset most deforestation losses, with young forests in the Northern Hemisphere driving gains. Forest age and location are key to boosting carbon sinks.
Authors: Le Zhang, Yunfeng Liang, Arata Kioka & Takeshi TsujiSynopsis: This study shows that storing impure CO₂ from Direct Air Capture can cut energy and costs, but efficiency drops with lower purity. Simulations suggest CO₂ concentration should exceed 70% for viable storage, offering key design guidance for DAC-CCS systems.
Authors: Li-Jing Liu, Qiao-Mei Liang, Felix Creutzig, Hua Tong, Yu-Xuan Xiao, Xiang-Yan Qian, et al.Synopsis: According to this study, limiting warming to 1.5°C will likely involve a temporary overshoot beyond 1.7°C. Staying on track requires net-zero CO₂ by 2060, 220–370 GtCO₂ cumulative emissions, strong CH₄/N₂O cuts, and CDR use. Benefits include cleaner air, but food yields may drop—calling for integrated climate–agriculture strategies.
Authors: Christopher Bataille, Alaa Al Khourdajie, Heleen de Coninck, Kiane de Kleijne, Lars J. Nilsson, et al.Synopsis: According to this study, to align with Paris goals, fossil fuel and industrial CO₂ use must be abated via CCS with strict benchmarks: ≥95% CO₂ capture, permanent storage, fugitive methane kept under 0.5%, and residuals offset by durable CDR. Applying this to steel and cement could cut ≥1.37 GtCO₂/year.
Authors: Bintang Budi Yuwono, Lukas Kranzl, Reinhard Haas, Retno Gumilang Dewi, Ucok Welo Risma Siagian, et al.Synopsis: This study models BECCS in Indonesia’s power sector, showing it acts more as a cost-effective decarbonization tool than a major electricity source. Large-scale deployment could drive significant CO₂ removal but risks biomass overuse and environmental strain due to regional resource limits.
WEB POSTSOctavia: Removing Carbon in Kenya (Geography & Tech) Geography & TechIt’s Tuesday, and today we’re looking at Octavia, a Kenyan Direct Air Capture (DAC) startup. Founded by Martin Freimüller and Duncan Kariuki, the company has raised $4.6 million from investors including Lateral Frontier, E4E Africa, and Catalyst Fund… 7 days ago · 1 like · Martin REPORTSShare of UK-affiliated CDR-related scientific publications by method (2000–22) ( Source) UPCOMING EVENTSWe have curated a “Carbon Removal Events Calendar.” Explore and stay informed about upcoming events, conferences, and webinars on Carbon Dioxide Removal technology. Sync specific events / all events to your default calendar to ensure you never miss out on important CDR updates. Carbon Removal Events Calendar JOB OPPORTUNITIES"Reporting to the Professorial Lead at the Future Industries Institute, you will contribute to research on the project titled “Rejuvenating agricultural soils to enhance productivity, resilience and carbon sequestration using enhanced rock weathering” funded by the Climate-Smart Agriculture program. You will collaborate with James Cook University and industry partner Carbonaught, providing scientific and technical support to achieve the project’s objectives."
"Vaulted Deep is a cutting-edge technology company that injects waste deep underground to advance sustainability goals while providing waste management solutions to support clean land, air and water."
"44.01 eliminates CO2 by turning it into rock. Our pioneering technology accelerates the natural process of CO2 mineralisation to remove captured CO2 permanently in less than 12 months. Our process is safe, scalable, and last forever."
"CO280 develops large-scale, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects in partnership with legacy industries. Beginning in pulp and paper, we develop, finance, own and operate CCS projects located at pulp and paper mills across the Gulf Coast."
"AirZyme is developing next-generation carbon capture technologies using biocatalytic solutions."
"Deep Sky is pioneering the development of Direct Air Capture technology and projects in Canada, focusing on removing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere to help address climate change."
"The scholarship holder is expected to conduct research about “Operations Research for Logistics in Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).” Operations Research as a discipline encompasses the development and application of quantitative models and methods for decision support. CDR describes the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, using different technologies (e.g., enhanced weathering). The PhD scholarship will be awarded for applying operations research methods to selected CDR problems."
"Lithos Carbon accelerate mineral weathering by spreading basalt on croplands to increase dissolved inorganic carbon with eventual storage as ocean carbonates. Our technology uses novel soil models and machine learning to maximize CO₂ removal while boosting crop growth."
"Isometric is the world’s most trusted carbon registry. We help Fortune 100 companies tackle climate change and avoid greenwashing."
Looking for your dream job in CDR? There are 608 jobs available *right now*: check them all out at: CDRjobs Board
PODCASTS"In this episode of the Decarb Connect Podcast, Alex Cameron is joined by Garrett Boudinot, climate scientist and CEO of VyCarb, a Brooklyn-based startup pioneering a novel approach to carbon dioxide removal (CDR)."
The Carbon is Mine with Sean and Sam | Meet the Fluxers | 6: The Carbon is Mine with Sean and Sam FLUXNET Outreach Working Group Episode |
"The Meet the Fluxers Podcast speaks with Arca’s Samuel Keller, Field Scientist and Sean Lowrie, Head of External Affairs. Flux-measuring land rovers, flux towers, proprietary algorithms, and field surveys are all helping to maximize the process of terrestrial carbon mineralization at Arca’s pilot study site in Western Australia."
"On this week’s Net Hero Podcast, we meet Ana Luisa Vaz from Paebbl, the company tackling one of the dirtiest climate culprits—concrete.Cement accounts for around 8% of global emissions. “It doesn’t make sense to keep building our cities with the biggest polluter in the room,” says Ana Luisa.Paebbl’s solution? Capture CO₂ from air, sea or industry, then lock it into materials that can replace up to 70% of traditional cement binders."
"In this edition of Plan Sea, host Anna Madlener sits down with co-host (and one of this week’s guests) Wil Burns, Dr. Terre Satterfield from the University of British Columbia, and Dr. Chris Pearce from the UK’s National Oceanography Centre. Burns, Satterfield, and Pearce are some of the lead authors on a new report launched at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, “Principles for Responsible and Effective Marine CDR Development and Governance.”
Rhea Dabriwala and Naveen Shivalingam - Turning Agricultural Residue into Climate Solutions | Scaling Green-Tech | Scaling Green-Tech Matt Jaworski and Katherine Keddie 5 episodes |
"In episode 5 of the Scaling Green Tech podcast, Katherine Keddie speaks with Rhea Dabriwala and Naveen Shivalingam, the co-founders of GroundUp, a pioneering startup transforming India’s agricultural residue into high-impact biochar. They unpack how GroundUp is building a new generation of industrial-scale biochar hubs that don’t just remove carbon from the atmosphere, but also regenerate soil, boost farmer livelihoods, and unlock circular supply chains.They break down the science behind biochar, the future of carbon markets, and the scale of what’s possible. They also explore what it takes to raise a $5M seed round, build trust in high-integrity carbon credits, and stay obsessed through the hardest parts of the founder journey."
Making Graphite from Carbon Removal for Lithium-Ion Batteries—w/ Makoto Eyre, Founder & CEO of Homeostasis | Reversing Climate Change | Reversing Climate Change Carbon Removal Strategies LLC 257 episodes |
"We primarily talk about pulling carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and ocean and storing it. But there are some places where we should actually be using it productively. Is graphite for lithium-ion batteries one of those places?Makoto Eyre is the Founder and CEO of Homeostasis, a Tacoma-based company making graphite from carbon dioxide. In the future they aim to colocate their reactors with carbon capture and/or removal to create a modular and distributed system of graphite production.Before the Industrial Revolution we had artisanal production and cottage industries. Then we had centralization and automation. What will production look like when centralization is no longer necessary to provide the economies of scale we had always thought it needed?The conventional ways graphite is produced is also not so ecologically-inclined. What if the future were both simpler on supply chains and ecology?"
"In this episode of Climate Confident, I sat down with Kanika Chandaria, Climate Lead at Agreena, to explore one of the most overlooked yet high-impact climate solutions: soil.We talked about why regenerative agriculture is gaining traction, not just as a nature-based solution, but as a scalable, economically viable climate strategy. Kanika broke down how soil has the potential to sequester 2–5 gigatonnes of CO₂ annually, making it a key lever for companies aiming to meet net zero targets."
"In this episode, Hannah Walker speaks toNadine Moustafa, a multi-talented and skilled engineer and research working at Imperial College, London.Nadine specialises in systems modelling for carbon management and decarbonisation technologies."
The EU’s first CRCF methodologies: are they good to go? | The CDR Policy Scoop | The CDR Policy Scoop Eve Tamme and Sebastian Manhart 29 episodes |
"The first methodologies for permanent removals under the EU’s Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation are being finalised.The European Commission’s 8th Carbon Removal Expert Group meeting, held on 10 July, was dedicated to a draft delegated act on DACCS, BioCCS, and biochar.Does this draft piece of legislation do justice to the CDR methods under consideration? Or does it fall short, and the Commission consultants should be sent back to the drawing board?"
YOUTUBE VIDEOSCan mining waste be used as a fertiliser? | University of South Australia "Cheap volcanic rock that languishes in open cut mines and quarries could transform Australia’s farming sector as a natural fertiliser, boosting crop yields and removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.It turns out that crushed basalt – a common rock used to make roads, houses, schools and hospitals – may address two very critical issues of our time: climate change and acidic soils.University of South Australia (UniSA) environmental researcher Dr Binoy Sarkar is leading an Enhanced Rock Weathering trial that involves applying crushed basalt to agricultural soils, measuring its nutrient release and carbon capture."
This Is CDR: BioForceTech - Removing CO2 by Turning Sludge into Aggregate | OpenAir "BioForceTech is doing just that. Their innovative system combines BioDrying and Hybrid Pyrolysis to divert wastewater sludge from traditional disposal pathways, transforming it into OurCarbon™—a biochar-based material that locks away carbon while serving as a sustainable aggregate for concrete and other applications."
A question about the AirMiners Buyers Club | Tito - AirMiners Fourth European Biochar Market Report 2024/25 - Launch Webinar | Biochar Europe "The fourth edition of the European Biochar Market Report, presented by Biochar Europe, offers an up-to-date overview of key trends, sector dynamics, and future scenarios for biochar across Europe.
-In this webinar, the report’s findings are unpacked with a focus on:
-Emerging biochar markets in metallurgy, agriculture, concrete, and urban soils
-The role of biochar in carbon removal and industrial decarbonisation
-Investment signals and market developments in 2023 and early 2024
-Scenarios for scaling biochar carbon removal to 2040
-Policy and regulatory priorities to enable growth"
What's hot in carbon removal - July 2025 | AirMiners The Weekly Challenger: A Local Community CDR Purchasing Challenge Stream | OpenAir "A weekly 1-hour stream hosted by 4 Corners director Chris Neidl. We cover assorted subjects related the Community Carbon Removal Purchasing Challenge with a focus on the practical and learning needs of local campaigners - supplier selection, promotional best practices, and teach-ins on key CDR ideas, methods and concepts. ALL ARE WELCOME to join the weekly conversation."
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