Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) refers to activities that capture CO2 from the atmosphere and store it durably. There is a wide and growing range of CDR methods, including forestry, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air carbon capture and storage, enhanced rock weathering, and biochar. CDR is increasingly recognised as a critical component of climate strategies alongside deep and rapid decarbonisation. For the UK, the Climate Change Committee’s Seventh Carbon Budget projects that meeting the legislated net zero target will require around 36 MtCO2/year of removals by new technologies in 2050, in addition to around 44 MtCO2/year of removals via land use.
This report presents a comprehensive overview of the state of CDR in the UK. It explores the research and innovation landscape, the role of UK-based companies in advancing CDR technologies, and trends in voluntary carbon market activity. The report also assesses national policy frameworks, governance structures, and public perceptions related to CDR. Finally, it takes stock of current deployment levels and examines the role of CDR in the UK’s pathways to net zero.
The report was written by Christopher Lomax, Stephen M. Smith, Rob Bellamy and Astha Wagle.
