Policy Pathways to Achieve Net-Zero Goals: A New Look at Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

Abstract:

As countries race to meet net-zero goals, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is increasingly seen as a necessary part of the solution to counterbalance residual emissions by hard-to-abate sectors—not just a backup plan. Yet, current national plans fall significantly short of the CDR levels needed to meet most climate goals, and only a handful of countries have laid out clear strategies to scale up CDR by 2050 (Lamb et al., 2024a). Bridging this gap requires a suite of well-designed policies tailored to different stages of technology development (Lamb et al., 2024b). With a wide array of policy options but limited experience with respect to the design and implementation of CDR policies, choosing the right mix of policies to support CDR remains complex. In a new study (Arlinghaus, et al., 2025), we propose a taxonomy to evaluate policy instruments based on their implications for effectiveness, efficiency, feasibility and strategic fit, with a range of sub-questions, hoping to support policymakers to choose the best combination of policies to meet CDR goals, while addressing critical trade-offs.