Is Carbon Reduction Enough? Carbon Removal Solutions in the Net-Zero Equation

Carbon removal is the process of actively removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing it permanently to contribute to the fight against climate change. This approach represents a critical climate strategy by not only focusing on emission reduction but also addressing the CO₂ already accumulated in the atmosphere.

With atmospheric CO₂ concentration exceeding 420 ppm, this increase causes warming of the atmosphere, seas, and oceans, posing a serious global climate threat. To limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C under the Paris Agreement, billions of tons of CO₂ must be actively removed from the atmosphere annually. In this context, focusing solely on emission reduction is not enough; carbon removal plays a critical role in balancing historical emissions and achieving net-zero targets.

How Does It Work?

Carbon removal utilizes both natural and technological methods:

• Natural Methods: Includes nature-based practices such as reforestation and afforestation (planting trees that absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere), Soil Carbon Sequestration (increasing soil's carbon storage capacity), and Enhanced Rock Weathering (applying ground silicate minerals to land to accelerate natural CO₂ absorption processes).

  
  

• Technological Methods: Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies separate CO₂ directly from ambient air via chemical or physical processes, directing it to permanent underground storage or long-life products. Additionally, Biochar, obtained by processing biomass at high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment (pyrolysis), is a hybrid carbon removal method capable of retaining carbon in the soil for hundreds of years. Biochar applications not only provide permanent carbon storage but also offer significant co-benefits such as increasing soil fertility, improving water retention capacity, and reducing the need for agricultural inputs. Thanks to its relatively low energy requirement and competitive costs per ton, biochar stands out as one of the most scalable and economic carbon removal solutions today.

  
  

The Difference Between Carbon Avoidance and Carbon Removal

These are two fundamental approaches often mentioned together in the fight against climate change but are functionally distinct.

Carbon avoidance aims to prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the source; meaning it focuses on stopping carbon from being released into the atmosphere in the first place. Transitioning to renewable energy, energy efficiency practices, and low-carbon production technologies fall under this scope. This approach forms the foundation of achieving net-zero targets and is generally considered the most cost-effective and scalable solution.

Carbon removal, on the other hand, refers to the active removal and long-term storage of carbon dioxide that has been emitted in the past or is currently in the atmosphere. Direct air capture technologies, biochar applications, afforestation projects, and carbon capture and storage systems fall into this group. Removal plays a critical role, especially in balancing emissions that cannot be completely reduced due to technical or economic reasons, as well as historical emissions.

The Difference Between Carbon Removal and Carbon Capture

There is a significant distinction between these two concepts. Carbon capture aims to prevent CO₂ emissions before they occur at sources like industrial facilities or power plants. Carbon removal targets existing CO₂ dispersed in the atmosphere. Both approaches are complementary for climate action but assume different roles within the general strategy for reducing atmospheric CO₂.

Neither of these approaches alone is sufficient to reach net-zero emission targets. Preventing emissions at the source is critical today; to remain aligned with Paris Agreement commitments, global emissions must peak before 2025 and be reduced by 43% by 2030. However, focusing solely on preventing new emissions does not eliminate the existing CO₂ accumulation in the atmosphere that is already warming the planet. Therefore, carbon removal assumes a complementary and indispensable role in achieving long-term climate goals.

A Holistic Climate Strategy

An effective and sustainable climate strategy requires both mechanisms to work together in harmony. Institutions should primarily focus on reducing their direct emissions, implement carbon avoidance solutions for short-term gains, and finally invest in carbon removal or capture technologies to offset unavoidable residual emissions. This approach is becoming increasingly mandatory, especially for "hard-to-abate" sectors such as aviation, cement production, and heavy industry.

Stay tuned for our next blog post where we will focus on carbon removal methods.