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·Carbon removal
Methods to remove carbon from the air
Around the world, hard work is being carried out on solutions to tackle the carbon problem. To remove carbon from the air, various methods exist. Part of those removal methods, also called CDR or carbon dioxide removal, is based on natural processes. Other solutions are technological.
These are the most well-known methods of carbon removal
Restoration of wetlands and peatlands
Restoring terrestrial wetlands and peatlands to absorb and store more carbon.
Use of cropland, grassland and agroforestry
Improving agricultural and grassland management practices to increase carbon uptake in the soil, and agroforestry to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Reforestation and afforestation
(Re)planting trees to remove carbon from the air.
Management of blue carbon
Restoring mangroves, seagrass beds and tidal marshes, and growing algae to absorb and store carbon.
Producing biochar and bio-oil
Converting organic waste material into biochar and underground injection of bio-oil to improve soil quality and store carbon.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement
Adding acid neutralizing substances to the ocean to accelerate the natural process of carbon uptake.
Enhanced rock weathering
Breaking down rocks and minerals, with olivine as the most used mineral, to increase their surface area and thus accelerate the processes to store carbon from the atmosphere.
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS
Capturing and permanently storing the CO2 released when converting biomass in which carbon is stored, into fuels, electricity or heat.
Direct Ocean Capture
Removing carbon from ocean water using chemical processes. The carbon is stored or used in sustainable fuels or materials. The water is returned to the ocean and absorbs carbon from the atmosphere again.
Direct air capture and storage
Removing carbon from the air through chemical filters and storing it in underground geological formations.
Natural removal methods offer a cost-effective approach in the short term, while technology-based solutions can provide more sustainable removals in the long term. Each method has its challenges, such as energy costs, land availability or quantification of results. Work is constantly being done to improve the options and developments are moving fast.
Frequently asked questions about carbon removal
Although carbon removal and carbon offsetting are often used interchangeably, the terms do not mean exactly the same. Carbon removal involves removing carbon that is in the atmosphere. There is also carbon reduction, which involves ensuring that less carbon is released into the air. Carbon offsetting means taking emitted carbon out of the air elsewhere (removal) or emitting less carbon elsewhere (reduction). Other terms often used are: CDR or carbon dioxide removal, and carbon capture.
There are both natural and technological methods to remove carbon. Examples of natural ways include: restoration of wetlands and peatlands; deployment of cropland, grassland and agroforestry; (re)forestation and blue carbon management. Technological ways include: producing biochar and bio-oil; increasing ocean alkalinity; enhanced rock wethering; BECCS (Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage); Direct Ocean Capture and Direct Air Capture and storage.
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