VoxTalks Economics S8 Ep57: How to make carbon removal work
Nov 7, 2025
Ottmar Edenhofer, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, dives into the crucial role of carbon dioxide removal in climate strategy. He explores various technologies like bioenergy with carbon capture and direct air capture, weighing their costs and effectiveness. Edenhofer discusses the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure the permanence of carbon storage, and outlines how geographical advantages can shape global CDR efforts. He also suggests innovative funding models to incentivize these technologies while warning against the risk of relying on them at the expense of direct emissions reductions.
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CDR Is A Third Pillar Of Climate Policy
- Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a distinct third pillar of climate policy beyond mitigation and adaptation.
- CDR is necessary to manage overshoot and to produce net negative emissions that can lower global temperatures.
CDR Requires A Diverse Technology Portfolio
- Multiple CDR approaches exist, from bioenergy with CCS to direct air capture and afforestation.
- Some methods are already scalable and cheaper, while others like direct air capture are costly but could become part of a broader portfolio.
Permanence Matters For Carbon Storage Value
- Non-permanent sinks like afforestation provide value but are less valuable than permanent storage.
- Carbon pricing and payments must reflect permanence differences and regulatory commitment to long-term storage.