ggr technologies
current greenhouse gas removal technologies
Removal is achieved through a wide variety of approaches, involving either biology, accelerating natural inorganic reactions with rocks, or engineered chemical processes.
While some GGR methods are already operating somewhere in the world, others require significant development and demonstration before they can remove emissions at scale.
GGR methods also require resources, like land, energy or water, placing limits on the scale and location of their application, and leading to resource competition between them and with other human activities, such as food production.
Greenhouse Gas Removal (GGR) technologies which recapture already emitted greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and ocean, can play a significant role in achieving net zero.
Current examples on GGR technologies include Climeworks, Carbon Engineering, Drax and Project Vesta.
Carbon Cure and Charm Industrial are also examples of carbon storage technologies.
While some GGR methods are already operating somewhere in the world, others require significant development and demonstration before they can remove emissions at scale.
Types of greenhouse gas removal
Forestry
Growing new trees and improving the management of existing forests. As forests grow they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in living biomass, dead organic matter and soils.
Habitat Restoration
Restoring peatlands and coastal wetlands to increase their ability to store carbon. This also prevents carbon release through further degradation, often providing a number of other co-benefits.
Ocean fertilisation
Applying nutrients to the ocean to increase photosynthesis and remove atmospheric CO2.
Ocean alkalinity
Increasing ocean concentration of ions like calcium to increase uptake of CO2 into the ocean, and reverse acidification.
Enhanced terrestrial weathering
Spreading ground-down rocks on agricultural land, which react with CO2 in the air.
Biochar
Burning biomass in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis) to create a charcoal-like product which can stabilise organic matter when added to the soil.
Soil carbon sequestration
Changing agricultural practices such as tillage or crop rotations to increase the soil carbon content.
Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
Using biomass for energy, capturing the CO2 emissions and storing them to provide lifecycle GGR.
Direct air capture and carbon storage (DACCS)
Using engineered processes to capture atmospheric CO2 for subsequent geological storage.
Low-carbon concrete
Altering the constituents, the manufacture, or the recycling method of concrete to increase its storage of CO2
Building with biomass
Using forestry materials in buildings extends the time of carbon storage of natural biomass and enables additional forestry growth.
Mineral carbonation
Accelerating the conversion of silicate rocks to carbonates either above or below the surface to provide permanent storage for CO2.
greenhouse gas removal case studies
carbon engineering
Carbon Engineering uses Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology to capture carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
Climeworks
Climeworks develops, builds and operates direct air capture machines to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.
News and Events
Kaya Axelsson becomes Oxford Net Zero Director of Impact
We're delighted to announce that Kaya Axelsson has this week started a new role as Oxford Net Zero's Director of Impact. She joins Dr Steve Smith MBE and Professor Sam Fankhauser, who will continue as Executive Director and Research Director, ... Read more
Oxford Net Zero academics co-lead open letter to DESNZ Secretary of State on carbon storage
Dozens of academics, environmental professionals and members of civil society have this week published an open letter to the Secretary of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, arguing for specific ... Read more
Dr Radhika Khosla awarded the title of Professor of Environmental Science and Policy
Dr Radhika Khosla, formerly Associate Professor and researcher at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, has been awarded the title of Professor of Environmental Science and Policy. The title was awarded ... Read more
Here’s how to make North Sea drilling compatible with net zero
By Professor Myles Allen, Founding Director of Oxford Net Zero and Head of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of Oxford. Originally published by the Financial Times on 29 July 2026. Republished with permission. Click here ... Read more
Job opening: Executive Officer, Impact and Engagement (now closed)
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS NOW CLOSED. Oxford Net Zero is seeking an organised and proactive Executive Officer to support its policy engagement and impact activities focused on corporate climate action, accountability, and net zero governance. ... Read more
ISO Net Zero Draft International Standard now available for public consultation
The ISO Draft International Standard (DIS) 14060 Net zero aligned organisations is now available and ready for public consultation. You can download the draft standard from the BSI website here (opens new page). This standard builds on ... Read more
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